Cops and College students hammer out solution to anti-social behaviour

Thursday, June 12, 2025

Police in Burnley have joined forces with budding joinery students at Burnley College to help tackle concerns about anti-social behaviour on a local housing estate.

Together they hope to ‘nail’ the issue of anti-social behaviour with a project that saw students create and install wooden gates for residents’ homes to deter youths from gathering near properties where their presence is causing concern for some of the elderly homeowners.

The project was funded by LANPAC, the Lancashire Partnership Against Crime.

The project is the brainchild of PC Chris McKee.

He said: “We’re stepping up patrols to address anti-social behaviour as part of our ongoing Op Centurion but it’s important we also take preventive action.

“On this particular estate, youths gathering under the canopies of some of the houses drinking and smoking was making people feel unsafe.

“We’re working with the Housing Association to install additional security but in addition to this, I reached out to Burnley College who agreed to create and install a number of wooden gates for residents’ homes which will give them some reassurance and hopefully prevent people encroaching on their property.

“The College was keen to help as the work can be incorporated into the joinery curriculum but also used to educate students about the impact of anti-social behaviour and allow the college to give something back to the local community.

“I think it’s a great example of the local community coming together to tackle anti-social behaviour and, along with our extra patrols, I hope it will make a real difference to the lives of local residents.”

David Lord, Head of Construction and Engineering at Burnley College, said: “Our students were excited to be invited to be part of this great project and help the local community.

“It’s been the ideal opportunity for them to put their skills and knowledge into action and create something which will really make a difference to the lives of others.

“As a College, we’re proud to be part of the Burnley community, Building Futures and Changing Lives.”

Dawn Cardwell, Head of Neighbourhoods at Calico Homes said: ‘We’re delighted to be working with Lancashire Police and Burnley College to tackle anti-social behaviour within our neighbourhoods.

"We want people to feel safe and happy within their homes and communities and this project will make a huge difference to people’s lives in the area.”