POLICE have escorted firefighters on to a scrapyard so they could put out two fires.

The incident which happened at TH Smith and Sons Ltd in Meadow Street, Great Harwood, today has been described by police as ‘unacceptable’, ‘offensive’ and ‘unpleasant’.

Firefighters, police and Hyndburn Council staff arrived at the scene around 1.30pm and left after around an hour.

A police spokesman said they understood the frustrations of residents and officers had been working alongside the fire service and the council to ‘use all the legal tools they have available to disrupt and prevent crime, disorder, public nuisance and environmental harm caused by operations at the site’.

The latest incident comes just days after Mary Louise Smith, the former director of TH Smith & Sons Ltd, was convicted of five offences relating to the running of her site.

A police spokesman said: “It is unacceptable that members of the public should have to live side-by-side with unpleasant and offensive activities on their doorstep and we are determined to do all we can to find a lasting solution.

“We understand and share public frustrations. Over the last year we have met regularly and worked together to use all the legal tools we have available to us to disrupt and prevent crime, disorder, public nuisance and environmental harm caused by operations at the site. Unfortunately long-term solutions require a long-term approach, but all the agencies involved continue to take these issues seriously and are placing extensive resources behind trying to secure the legal solutions needed.

“All the agencies involved understand our communities’ on-going frustration but reassure people of our intent to continue to use every possible avenue open to us to secure a lasting outcome. We will relentlessly pursue every avenue open to us to restore the community for residents. We thank our communities for their patience and continued support. Any information can be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

A spokesman for the fire service said : “We were accompanied by police to the scene.

“Four crews were called out to the fire.

“The crews put out the fire and were at the scene for around an hour.

“There was sufficient resources used to put out the flames.”