A NEW officer has taken to the beat to help the fight against juvenile nuisance in Earby.

Susan Hartley, a former member of the Army, was appointed as the town's first police community support officer (PCSO) in December.

She has now completed her training and is patrolling the streets alongside PC John Mee for a month, before the shifts will be split between them.

At a meeting of Earby Parish Council, PC Mee told members that the new officer would help in the fight to stamp out juvenile nuisance.

Although her powers are not the same as a regular police officer, she can issue fixed penalty notices and help to crack down on anti-social behaviour.

Parish councillors invited the two officers to the meeting to discuss the concerns of residents in the town.

PC Mee told councillors crime in the area had been extremely low.

He said: "Burglaries and car crime are down, but we have still got a problem with juvenile nuisance. Now we have got Susan there will be twice as many officers to deal with it."

PC Mee said one of the main issues was to deal with gangs of youths gathering around the Northholme Estate.

He said a meeting had recently been held with residents to discuss the issue.

"We have got some complaints and we will be following them up. Now, with Susan's help, I think it might quieten down a bit. When things are happening we want to react straight away."

Coun Vic Marsh said although the town did not have much crime, more patrols were needed at night times.

He said: "Earby is a ghost town during the day. It is those early evenings and during the night when vandals are about, that is a time that we do need policing."

PC Mee said an officer had been nominated from Colne to deal with incidents during those particular times.

Coun Marsh continued: "There is not much crime, but it is frightening for people to see all those groups of young people hanging about. There is no trouble, but it frightens people."

PC Mee said it was his aim for people to walk in the town at any time of the day without being scared of gangs of youths.