AN UNDERCOVER operation targeting anti-social behaviour in Burnley and Padiham has been hailed by police.

Operation Trojan saw undercover police specials and officers from Lancashire County Council tour the streets at night on buses and in a decoy taxi.

In Brunshaw, officers searched a boy found swigging alcohol and found he was carrying a knuckle duster. He was later charged with possession of an offensive weapon.

Another teenager was charged for possession of cannabis and a 16-year-old boy, discovered drinking from a wine bottle and acting “aggressively”, was returned home by police.

Meanwhile, officers also dished out 10 youth referral orders and found a suicidal man who was later detained under the Mental Health Act.

Sgt Phil Hutchinson, from Burnley police, said: “This is an initiative that’s been designed by police and Lancashire County Council’s safer travel unit.

“We then target hot spot areas from the previous weekends, in this case including Padiham and Queensgate, and we also react to incidents and crimes as and when they come in.

“These operations are always successful and they go down well. Taxi drivers and the communities in these areas love it.

“The kids don’t know which way we are coming at them so we will carry on with Trojan.”

Sgt Hutchinson also praised the input of Transdev, which allowed police to ride on its services through Burnley and Padiham.

Rick Wilson, manager of the safer travel unit, added: “The safer travel unit, working in close partnership with Burnley police and Transdev, is committed to ensuring that public transport and the communities it serves are safe for all.

“Operation Trojan, which is an ongoing initiative, uses a variety of decoy vehicle types and continues to detect and prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.”