VOTE: Are police right to control festivities on Pendle Hill at Hallowe’en?

The hill was closed to fairground rides, mobile catering units and parked cars from 5 p.m. to 3 a.m. and there was a one-way system in place for traffic travelling from the A59 to Sabden.

Pendle Hill has become a hotspot at Hallowe’en, attracting thousands of visitors from across Lancashire.

The Event Safety Advisory Group implemented a plan to control access to Pendle Hill following concerns expressed about the growth of the event, heavy traffic, alcohol-related disorder and the use of fireworks. Agencies have agreed the hill is not suitable for these types of activities involving such large numbers of people.

Insp. Chris Saville said: “As with last year, it has been necessary to take these precautions to ensure the public remain safe on Pendle Hill this Hallowe’en. Previous policing operations have been extremely successful with significant reductions in incidents of both anti-social behaviour and criminal damage.”