Following recent vandalism directed towards taxis and other vehicles in South Shore, Gordon has praised the Police and Blackpool Council for their swift response to the problem.



Taxi drivers had complained to the Police after being targeted by vandals with items such as stones and eggs on both Seasiders Way and Waterloo Road. Following an urgent letter from Gordon, Blackpool South Inspector Russ Farrand outlined what was being done to combat the problems of anti-social behaviour in the area over the festive period.

During the weekend of Friday 16th to Sunday 18th December, Community Officers were deployed in South Shore. The Police and Blackpool Council have also worked together to issue a CPN (Community Protection Notice) against one youth for their persistent anti-social behaviour in the area.

Gordon said: “The news of taxis and other vehicles being targeted by anti-social behaviour in South Shore is a very worrying one. However I am pleased that the Police in partnership with the Blackpool Council are doing all they can to address this very serious issue. Inspector Farrand has told me he was concerned around the lack of reporting on the issue so I’d urge anyone who witnesses such vandalism to contact the police straight away.”

In his reply to Gordon, Inspector Farrand said the Police’s initial response had appeared to have had the “desired effect in the short term of disrupting and preventing further occurrence”. However he also outlined some of the longer term measures the Police were doing to identify “problematic” youths, including deploying officers with body-cams and working with the Council’s CCTV systems, as part of “Trojan Taxi”.

As well as this, taxi firms in Blackpool have been given the phone and staffing times of a dedicated Police vehicle, which will respond to issues of anti-social behaviour across the south of the town. Blackpool Police have also said they will be working with the council on social media to highlight such behaviour will not be tolerated.

Councillor David O’Hara, who represents Waterloo ward on Blackpool Council added: “This type of behaviour is completely unacceptable and undermines the efforts of local people and traders who are working hard to make South Shore a more attractive and interesting place for visitors. Working together with Gordon, the Police and officers from the council, I will make sure we get to the root of the problem.”