FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

If you have a question, you can contact the Community Safety Team using the contact details or forms provided, but you might also find the answer to your question below, where we've listed the answers to the most commonly asked questions that the Team answer every day.

Question: How do I report a crime?

Answer: The first people you should contact are the Police. If it is an emergency you should ring 999. If not then you can ring the communications room or the national crime reporting telephone line. The Pendle Area communications room can be reached on 01282 425001, and the national number is 0845 25 35 45.

If you wish to remain anonymous then you can ring Crime Stoppers – 0800 555 111.

You can also report non-emergency crimes to the Police using the online form here.

Q: What should I do if I see a crime taking place?

A: Never put yourself at risk, however, as a citizen you are able to make a "Citizen’s Arrest" for some crimes, such as theft or damage. This means that you can detain the person, contact the Police and tell them what has happened.

If you don’t feel confident or if you feel unsure, you can ring the Police, or you can ask someone to help. Give the Police as much information as you can, including what you have seen and any description. This will help when someone comes.

Q: Where can I go for advice if a loved one is misusing drugs or alcohol?

A: There are a number of organisations that can offer help and advice for this. The organisation that can help will depend on what your problem is. However, they are all committed to tackling the problems of drug and alcohol misuse and as such will be able to offer you some help. Suggested organisations that can offer help are as follows: Talk To Frank (youth addiction), Safer Lancashire Drug Action Team, Connexions (youth addiction), the National Treatment Agency for Substance Misuse (drugs), and LifeLine (drugs).  You can also check the Health section of PendleLife for more assistance.

Q: How do I report anti-social behaviour?

A: This depends on what the behaviour is. Different local services deal with different kinds of nuisance.

You should follow the reporting guidelines as follows:

Noise Nuisance – Pendle Borough Council Environmental Health Department on 01282 661150
Flytipping and abandoned vehicles – Pendle Borough Council Operational Services Team on 01282 661743
Crime – for emergencies call 999, for non-emergencies call your local communications room on 01282 425001

If you are unsure of who to speak to, contact the Pendle Community Safety Team by email or telephone .

Every body has the right to quality of life and as such has the right to deal with anti-social behaviour. It may well be the case that it is a problem that can be sorted out very quickly.  For further information on local initiatives to deal with anti-social behaviour, go here.

Q: What do I do about problem neighbours?

A: This depends on what the problem is and what type of housing it is, i.e  Are you an owner or a tenant, is the neighbour an owner or a tenant? Is it privately rented or council accommodation? The answers will help us decide what courses of action we can take. Any action will depend on what the problems are.

It may be something that can be sorted out very easily. Have you considered speaking to your neighbour before contacting any one else? It may well be the case that your neighbour genuinely does not know that his/her behaviour is a problem.

If you are unsure of who to speak to, or speaking to your neighbour does not resolve your problem, contact the Pendle Community Safety Team by email or telephone .

They will be able to offer you advice as to the best course of action and which agency is best able to deal with it.

Q: How do I make my house and property secure?

A: There are some very simple steps that you can take than can keep your home and property secure, such as keeping your doors locked, even when you are at home. Never leave your keys in the door or within easy reach of the door.

You can use ceramic or ultra-violet pens to mark your property with your postcode.  For further information on this kind of marking visit the Home Office website .

For much more detailed information on securing your property you can contact 01282 472385/88 and ask to speak to a crime prevention officer, or you can visit our Crime Prevention pages.

Q: I live in ... Ward. Who is my local Police officer?

A: Contact your local Police on 01282 425001. They will be able to tell you who your local Community Beat Manager and (if relevant) your Police Community Support Officer.

Q: I live in …….Ward. Who is my local councillor?

A: Details of which councillors represent which wards can be found on the Pendle Borough Council Site here.

Q: Where do I go to report untaxed or abandoned cars?

A: You can report them to the Police, the Council or DVLA on the following numbers:

01282 425001 – Police

01282 661163 – Pendle Borough Council

08000 325 202-  DVLA

Q: Where can I get fire safety advice?

A: Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service (LFRS) provide Fire Safety Advice for Pendle.

The Fire Safety Officers for Pendle can be contacted on 01282 612312, or you can visit the LFRS online, or visit our Fire Prevention Section .

Q: What young people’s organisations are there in Pendle?

A: There are a number of organisations within Pendle that cater for young people of all ages.
It depends on what type of activity you require, or whether you are looking for advice.
The following links are all relevant to young peoples services and will offer links to other services that may be available in the area.

http://www.pendlecommunitynetwork.org.uk/
http://www.lancsycs.org/home/
http://www.13to19-lancs.info/
http://www.saferlancashire.co.uk/Saferlancashire/connexions.asp
http://www.talktofrank.com/
http://www.surestart.gov.uk/
http://www.lifeline.org.uk/lifeline/
http://www.saferlancashire.co.uk/
http://www.princes-trust.org.uk/