LANCASHIRE’S Police and Crime Commissioner spent a night patrolling the streets of Accrington to see first-hand the work being done to keep Christmas revellers safe.

Clive Grunshaw joined officers on patrol in the town on Saturday and stopped by at the Nightsafe Haven.

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The special floodlit van aims to help keep the town’s streets trouble-free by offering partygoers a place to go for free water, medical assistance and any help and support they might need.

As part of the preparations for the Christmas and New Year period, police and Trading Standards also visited every licensed premises in the town centre.

Plain clothes officers patrolled the town centre’s pubs, bars and clubs to identify and deal with trouble before it escalated.

Mr Grunshaw said: “The evening was drizzly but it didn’t dampen the spirit of the revellers in Accrington town centre. The atmosphere was good and most people were genuinely pleased to see the high police presence – including a significant number of special constables.

“I believe that it was this presence that ensured that people behaved themselves, which is what we want to achieve. The co-ordination of the door staff, with the police, ensures that any trouble is quickly identified, and the offenders subsequently barred from all premises.

“On Saturday night there was only one incident of note - an altercation in the street which resulted in a minor facial injury, dealt with by the excellent St John Ambulance team. “They tell me that often the main injuries are young girls with twisted ankles, from wearing high heel shoes, after having too much to drink.

“The earlier Can Safe event, involving the police, trading standards and children’s services, resulted in four young people being questioned for their behaviour but nothing serious.”

“Overall the Night Safe Haven is an excellent example of what can be achieved by bringing partners together to provide a safe and secure environment in the town centre.

“I’m sure that there will be busier nights, particularly Friday, December 19 ‘Mad Friday’ and that the Night Safe Haven will be called upon more often.”

The Nightsafe Haven will operate on Church Street between 10.30pm and 3am every Saturday in December, as well as Friday, December 19 and Wednesday, December 31.