COLNE, LANCASHIRE – A shop in Colne has been hit with a closure order following repeated incidents of anti-social behaviour, as Pendle’s Neighbourhood Policing Team continues its work to safeguard local communities.
The order was granted at Preston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday 21st May 2025 under Section 80 of the Anti-social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014. The Ruskin Store, located on Ruskin Avenue in Colne, is now subject to a full closure, which will remain in force until July 2025.
The decision follows a string of reported incidents at the premises which raised concern among local residents and triggered a police investigation. Officers from Lancashire Constabulary presented evidence to the court detailing ongoing disturbances, prompting the court to take decisive action.
PC Kai Lyddiatt of Pendle’s Neighbourhood Policing Team said:
“We welcome the result of this closure order that was causing concern in the local community. This behaviour won’t be tolerated, and this action demonstrates that we will take the appropriate action to safeguard people and deal with criminality.”
The crackdown on anti-social behaviour comes under the umbrella of Operation Centurion—a county-wide initiative led by Lancashire Constabulary, supported by Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw, and in partnership with other local agencies. The operation is part of a broader strategy to ensure communities are protected from persistent nuisance behaviour that affects quality of life.
Clive Grunshaw, Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, has made tackling anti-social behaviour (ASB) one of his top priorities. He said previously that robust measures like closure orders send a clear message that disruption and criminality will not be tolerated in Lancashire’s neighbourhoods.
Residents are being urged to report any signs of anti-social behaviour in their area to help authorities act swiftly. Reports can be made via the Lancashire Tackling ASB website for non-emergencies, or by calling 999 in an emergency situation.
Why This Matters
Anti-social behaviour not only causes distress and anxiety but also undermines the sense of community. With Lancashire Police now intensifying efforts under Operation Centurion, closure orders like this one in Colne are likely to become more frequent as officers act swiftly on community intelligence.
Did You Know?
- In 2023, there were over 28,000 incidents of anti-social behaviour reported across Lancashire.
- The Pendle area accounted for over 1,300 of those reports, making it one of the region’s most-affected districts.
- Operation Centurion was launched in 2023 and has already led to the closure of multiple problem premises county-wide.