Dispersal order in Rishton and Oswaldtwistle after anti-social gatherings

Concerns were raised by people in Hyndburn due to incidents in which large groups of youths were congregating and acting in an anti-social manner near the waterfalls at Rishton Paper Mill and Jackhouse Nature Reserve in Oswaldtwistle.

A public health incident was declared at Rishton Paper Mill earlier this month when a number of children became ill after swimming in the water.

As a direct result of these incidents, Hyndburn Geographic Inspector, Steve Rides, has authorised dispersal orders covering each location to ensure further gatherings are prevented.

The orders cover the areas marked out in the images, and span from Parker Street in Rishton all the way to Holme Road in Clayton-le-Moors; and from the junction of Haslingden Road and Broadfield up to Fielding Lane and New Lane in Oswaldtwistle.

A spokesperson for the police said: "Community concerns have been raised recently due to various incidents of youths gathering in large numbers (100 plus) and acting in an anti-social manner at Rishton Waterfalls (where a Public Health Incident was declared), and Jackhouse Nature Reserve in Oswaldtwistle.

"The message is clear, for those young people, and parents, guardians, or carers of young people who were planning to attend theses locations over the weekend please take note and stay away.

"The local policing team will be patrolling the areas and will take positive action where appropriate."

Earlier this month, an investigation was launched after a number of children became ill following a dip in the water at Rishton Paper Mill.

On July 4, Public Health England North West posted on their social media channels: "We have reports of children becoming ill after swimming in the water and would advise people not to enter the water.

"If you have swum in this water and develop sickness or diarrhoea, fever or abdominal pain within 10 days of swimming contact your GP."