COUNCILLORS and residents have clashed amid concerns over night-time problems for an East Lancashire village.

Neighbours in Whalley are frustrated their claims of noise, crime, litter, damage, intimidation and trespassing are not being taken seriously by Ribble Valley Council and police.

But senior councillors have told a licensing committee meeting resources are limited and recent checks have not identified issues which licensees can be held responsible for.

Michael Wedgeworth, chairman of Queen’s Street Residents Association, said he was staggered to hear police had received no complaints from residents and there was apparently no evidence such as CCTV recordings, according to recent updates.

He said: “I have seen evidence myself. I have seen a fight on the streets. To say that has not been reported to the police is fundamentally wrong.

And on licensing conditions and enforcement, he added: “Alcohol is the problem and sometimes drugs. 

“Alcohol consumed in vast quantities into the night by people who mostly would not dream of behaving badly when sober.

“Residents say enough is enough. We want the law to be rigorously enforced. We are desperate for officers to advise what can be done rather than what cannot be done.”

Residents have called on the council to enforce what are known as early morning alcohol restriction measures to curb disorder.

But Tory Cllr Coun Stella Brunskill said: “I have been a magistrate for 20 years and I understand what you are saying. 

“But agencies are agencies and the police have been terribly under-manned throughout the Ribble Valley. But we are recruiting and putting more bobbies on the beat.

She added: “We cannot interfere with police and crime processes. We can help and direct the police and work together,. We are honestly doing that. You may think we are being slow but we are doing things. We are also frustrated at the (police) manpower that has not been there in position.

Fellow Conservative Cllr added: “It seems that residents have been waiting a long time and nothing is happening. Maybe the residents will know the problem premises?

“Surely it’s not that difficult to target the premises? Yes, it’s a police issue and, yes, it’s a Ribble Valley Borough Council issue. We need to move more quickly.”

Borough council solicitor Stephen Barker said Ribble Valley council licensing officers had visited premises and dealt with issues such as noise disturbance.

But he added: “Currently, the police do not report any issues with licensees in Whalley. There are issues with customers moving between premises. Door staff are asking customers to leave quietly but what happens outside is beyond their control. Those issues do not come under the licensing remit.

“There may be issues for environmental health officers. They can apply for a review or the police can bring a review.

“Trading standards officers can also apply for a review, if they think there are issues with alcohol sales to under-age people. 

“Residents can also bring reviews and it is encouraged. Work is taking place but the responsible authorities have not asked for a review. If residents want to ask for a review, that can be brought to this committee.”