Worsthorne and Hurstwood Parish Council tackles crime and anti-social behaviour with community-led initiative

A Burnley village has formed a plan of action to crackdown on crime and anti-social behaviour.

Worsthorne with Hurstwood Parish Council has taken a lead role in tackling the issues, from vandalism and burglaries to suspected drug dealing in the close-knit village and surrounding areas.

The council has brought together residents, the Neighbourhood Policing Team and community organisations in a bid to identify the issues and concerns and co-ordinate a plan to help make the village safer.

Chairman Mark Jinkinson said: “The parish council set up a crime and anti-social behaviour group in October last year with an initial focus on rural crime and related issues, recognising the particular challenges faced by residents, farms and businesses in more isolated areas.

“ The group consulted those affected, along with the Neighbourhood Policing Team and other organisations that could help, to examine local problems, share information and develop practical solutions.

“That work is continuing, and at the start of 2026 we broadened our initiative to cover every part of the parish.”

The lead councillor on the initiative is Graham Felton who has been working closely with the community PCSO Jody Hudson.

Coun. Jinkinson added: “Our efforts have been greatly strengthened by PCSO Hudson who is very active, and supported by an increased overall police presence, including bike and car patrols as well as the involvement of the Rural Task Force.”

This ‘joined-up’ approach has succeeded in identifying recurring issues, improve communication and support coordinated prevention and enforcement activity where appropriate.

A community day in March, along with the formation of the ‘Mini-Cops’ programme with Worsthorne Primary School, and support from the Participation Works Community Youth Team in addressing local ASB issues has helped to bolster the scheme.

The council is now reaching out to residents to play an active role with three initiatives.

The first is for them to sign up to the free police community messaging service Stay In The Know. Residents can receive local crime alerts, policing updates, scam warnings, road-closure information and notices about fires or other emergencies.

The second is NICE2SHARE a voluntary Lancashire Constabulary initiative for residents and businesses with CCTV, security cameras or video doorbells. By registering the location of a device owners make it easier for police investigators to identify and request potentially useful footage after an incident. Footage is shared only when the owner chooses to provide it.

Coun. Jinkinson added: “The third part of the council’s initiative is to ask residents in Worsthorne village, Hurstwood, Brownside, and Pike Hill to join together and form neighbourhood watch groups as these schemes encourage people to look out for one another and report suspicious activity, they help deter crime and anti-social behaviour.

“The parish council is also encouraging communities in other parts of Burnley to follow our initiative on fighting crime and anti-social behaviour leading to a safer community for us all.”