11/10/2026
BLACKBURN TOWN CENTRE – WE CANNOT IGNORE WHAT RESIDENTS ARE TELLING US
Over the past few days, I've been contacted by a considerable number of people following my public appeal for residents to share their experiences of anti-social behaviour in Blackburn town centre, particularly around the bus station.
I've spent a lot of time reading through these messages, speaking to people and trying to understand just how serious the situation has become.
Some of the accounts I've received are genuinely shocking.
Before going any further, I want to thank everyone who has contacted me, particularly those who have shared some very upsetting personal experiences. Many have spoken to me in confidence, and I intend to respect that. For that reason, I won't be identifying anyone or sharing details that could reveal who they are.
So, what are people telling me?
One of the most concerning things is the number of people who now feel frightened simply travelling through Blackburn town centre.
I've heard from people who regularly use the bus station to get to and from work. Some describe being subjected to verbal abuse, harassment and intimidating behaviour by groups of young people.
One person explained that the situation had become so uncomfortable that they had started avoiding Blackburn altogether unless they absolutely needed to be there.
Others have told me they've changed their travel arrangements, paid for taxis or stopped visiting the town centre socially because they no longer feel safe.
Think about that for a moment.
People are changing their everyday lives because they don't feel safe in their own town.
And it isn't just happening late at night.
I've received reports of intimidating behaviour in the early morning, when people are simply trying to catch a bus to work.
People have described feeling vulnerable while waiting for connections, particularly when there appears to be little visible security presence.
Several people have also raised concerns about aggressive begging and groups congregating around parts of the town centre.
I want to be clear here. Being homeless is not a crime, and homelessness itself should never be confused with anti-social behaviour. Some of the homeless people in Blackburn have themselves been victims of appalling treatment.
But nobody should feel intimidated, threatened or pressured into handing over money.
Some of the reports go well beyond anti-social behaviour.
I've received accounts of people being physically assaulted, groups fighting in public and individuals allegedly carrying weapons.
One particularly disturbing report described a large group involved in a violent confrontation in the town centre, with a person allegedly being attacked while on the ground.
Another account described someone seeking refuge inside a business after reportedly being seriously assaulted. Those inside were left frightened as the situation unfolded outside.
I've also heard from families who say their children have been attacked, and from people who have witnessed violence while simply going about their business.
One account described two women being followed and harassed near the bus station late in the evening. One was allegedly sexually assaulted, and a passing motorist who attempted to intervene was reportedly attacked.
The women were left frightened and had to make alternative arrangements to get home.
I've deliberately withheld details of these incidents to protect those who contacted me.
These are accounts shared with me by members of the public, and I cannot independently verify every allegation. However, they are serious matters that deserve proper investigation.
I've also heard from people with disabilities who describe feeling particularly vulnerable when groups of youngsters are running around public areas, obstructing access and behaving recklessly.
There have been reports of fireworks being thrown dangerously close to members of the public, including families with young children.
And of course, many of us have now seen the deeply disturbing footage involving a homeless man and a firework.
What sort of society are we becoming when people think behaviour like that is acceptable?
Another particularly worrying account concerns an individual who says they were struck from behind and knocked unconscious near the town centre.
I've also received information about an alleged assault on a security worker at the bus station, resulting in a serious facial injury.
These are not minor complaints about teenagers being a bit noisy.
We are talking about allegations of violence, intimidation, harassment and behaviour that is making ordinary people frightened to use public spaces.
And we need to recognise the difference.
Last night, I went to see the situation for myself.
I met up with fellow Reform UK Councillor Stephen Hartley, Councillor Shakeel Choudhry from the Blackburn with Darwen Independents, and local content creator Mo Sidat.
Four ordinary blokes, from different backgrounds, putting politics to one side because we all care about Blackburn.
We walked around the town centre, particularly the areas where concerns have been raised.
And even on what appeared to be a relatively quiet evening, we encountered some fairly hostile behaviour.
We saw enough with our own eyes to understand why people are contacting us.
Now consider something.
There were four grown men walking around together.
If we encountered hostility as a group, imagine how a young woman travelling home from work might feel.
Imagine being a teenager waiting alone for a bus.
Or an elderly person, or somebody with a disability, simply trying to get home safely.
Nobody should have to plan their journey around the possibility of being intimidated or assaulted.
And nobody should be made to feel that avoiding Blackburn town centre is their safest option.
I've also received a thoughtful message from someone with professional experience working with young people.
They made an important point.
Not every group of youngsters gathering in the town centre is causing trouble. Many are simply meeting friends, socialising and looking for somewhere to spend time.
We also need to recognise that Blackburn has areas of significant deprivation, and that young people need somewhere affordable, safe and constructive to go.
I agree with that.
But understanding why young people gather in certain places is not the same as excusing criminal behaviour.
There must be consequences for those who threaten, intimidate or assault others.
At the same time, we need to look seriously at prevention, youth provision and how we stop younger children becoming involved in this behaviour in the first place.
So what happens next?
On Tuesday, I'll be attending a meeting with Community Safety at Blackburn Town Hall.
I'll be taking the concerns raised with me and asking questions about what is currently being done, what additional measures are available and how the relevant organisations intend to respond.
I want to understand the arrangements for security, policing, enforcement and safeguarding, particularly around the bus station and surrounding streets.
I also want to know what longer-term work is being undertaken to tackle the causes of this behaviour.
I'm pleased that Adnan Hussain MP has also publicly acknowledged the concerns and expressed his determination to see the situation addressed.
This shouldn't be about political parties competing to claim credit.
Last night's walk demonstrated that people with different political views can come together when something matters to the wider community.
We might disagree on plenty of other things, but surely we can agree that people deserve to feel safe in Blackburn.
And I want to make another point.
The overwhelming majority of Blackburn residents, regardless of their background, are decent, hardworking people who simply want to get on with their lives.
Anti-social behaviour and criminality are the responsibility of those committing it.
We shouldn't be blaming entire communities for the actions of individuals.
But equally, we shouldn't be afraid to confront unacceptable behaviour because the conversation might be uncomfortable.
There is a balance to be struck between compassion, prevention and enforcement.
And in my view, that balance needs looking at very seriously.
Words butter no parsnips.
It's an old saying, but it sums things up rather well.
We can have meetings, issue statements, express concern and tell everyone how seriously we're taking things.
But ultimately, residents will judge us by whether anything actually improves.
People want to see a visible presence, action against those responsible and reassurance that they can use their town centre without feeling frightened.
That's not an unreasonable expectation.
Blackburn belongs to all of us.
It belongs to the people who work here, shop here, travel through here and call this town home.
And nobody should feel driven away from it by the behaviour of a minority.
I'll continue raising these concerns, working with others where necessary and keeping residents updated on what comes out of Tuesday's meeting.
Finally, to everyone who has contacted me, thank you.
Your experiences have been heard, and they will not simply be brushed aside.
Cllr John Clayton
