TRADERS and residents in Oswaldtwistle have called for more CCTV cameras in the town after a spate of vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

Their plea has been backed by Hyndburn Council leader Councillor Peter Britcliffe, who has written to the police and Hyndburn Community Safety Partnership asking for security camera coverage to be extended.

Rachel McClure, who owns Garlands Florist, Union Road, said her shop window was smashed in the early hours of of Sunday, January 8, causing £150-worth of damage.

She aded: "There is a feeling that the extended drinking times in the pubs hasn't helped the situation.

"Oswaldtwistle is a lovely community, with nice shops and nice people, but people here are getting concerned about what is happening.

"The main issue we have on this bit of Union Road is that there is no CCTV covering it.

"The nearest camera is by the Co-op, but it doesn't take in our part of the town.

"We have banks and the Post Office in our bit, so it seems stupid that there are no cameras here."

A Union Road resident, who asked not to be named, said: "We live in Union Road and the noise at weekends is ridiculous.

"Young idiots are going to the pubs, having a few too many and then going out and causing mayhem, breaking windows and being a nuisance."

Coun Britcliffe said: "We tend to think there are lots of people out there causing lots of damage, but I think these people are in the minority and that 99.9per cent of people in Oswaldtwistle don't want to see these sorts of things happening.

"I have called for further CCTV and I will continue to push for it to be extended, not only in Oswaldtwistle, but across the borough."

PC Steve O'Boyle, community beat manager for Oswaldtwistle, said: "We would support any bid to extend CCTV coverage in that area."

He confirmed that two shop windows had been smashed earlier this month and appealed for witnesses to the incident to come forward.

A man has been arrested for criminal damage, but has been bailed pending further inquiries.

Anyone with information is asked to ring PC O'Boyle at Accrington police on 01254 51212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.