A CHARITY pram push, which has been running in Great Harwood for the last 10 years, will not be held again after Sunday’s event was wrecked by drunks.
Every year people dress up to push prams around the town’s pubs to raise money for the Lancashire Fire and Rescue Service Benevolent Fund.
But organisers have decided to call it a day after an evening of alcohol-fuelled trouble in the centre, which left them and the police bitterly disappointed.
Jim Oldcorn, of Ridgway, Great Harwood, who witnessed the mayhem, said: "There were around 150 to 200 young people of both sexes, the vast majority clearly the worse for drink, ankle-deep in discarded beer cans, bottles and takeaway food packaging.
"They seemed intent upon preventing the free flow of traffic and opposing factions were hurling verbal abuse and threatening gestures to each other across the street."
Several people were arrested after police received calls about rowdyness, assaults, criminal damage and public order offences.
Three ambulances were despatched after receiving 12 calls and police also issued five "direction to leave" notices.
These can be issued to anyone aged 16 or over if police believe their behaviour will contribute to alcohol-related crime or disorder and they last for up to 48 hours.
Sargeant Stuart Banks said: "It’s a shame because it’s not the event that has caused the problems, it is the actions of a few who have ruined it for everyone else.
"I am extremely disappointed at the behaviour of a number of people who ruined what should have been a family fund-raising event after drinking excessively and causing trouble.
"I have spoken with the organisers who have decided they will not be holding the event again due to concerns for public safety, which is a great shame after nine successful years."
What do you think? Should the event be scrapped? Click on 'Submit comment' to have your say, and vote in our poll on the right of this page.
Showing comments 1 to 9 and replies | View All
MaverickMan, Baxenden (19/06/2008 at 22:13)
Best keep the rabble out.
Mrs Miggins (21/06/2008 at 12:33)
Beer cans; wrappers; someone being sick at the roadside and there seemed to be an overflow of people from the pub. They had spilled outside and were stood / walking in the middle of the road and got irate because they were expected to move.
For the majority, it’s nothing more than an excuse to get completely tanked up. I’m glad they won’t be doing it again.
Su Presho, Rishton (22/06/2008 at 11:04)
Myself and my husband have attended this event every year.
There is one basic flaw, which the local police seem to do nothing about.
I am I must point out normally very supportive of our local police they do a brilliant job, but this event is one they just don't get right.
Let me explain, the local pubs are excellent in their support of this event and every drink they sell that day is served in plastic glasses.
Yet the local off licence directly in the town centre (who by the way must make a fortune that day) serve bottle after bottle and can after can of lager, alchopops, wine etc etc.
All these people then settle thereselves down on the pavements and grassland around the town square and drink themself into oblivion.
These are the people who cause the problems.
Simple answer to this, instead of the police driving through the town every 15 minutes in there cars. Why don't they position themselves at the entrance to the off licence and inform people that if they are intending to purchase bottles and cans of alchohol to consume outside that they shouldnt bother as they will be moved on.
The Off licence needs to take some responsibility by maybe displaying a sign that day explaining there support for the charity and the police force and that alchohol purchased must be taken home.
These people are everywhere with their carrier bags of clanknig bottles, ie not difficult to spot.
We witnessed one chap who had the cheek to sit on the pavement across from the Wellington Pub's doorway sat on his 24 tray of lager just purchased from the off licence.
Come on Mr Policeman move them on before they start.
I am quite outraged that this brilliant event organised by the local firemen and supported by the local landlords has to come to and end.
Bethany Jo, Rishton (23/06/2008 at 14:56)
This Facebook group has 443 members who are all against banning the Pram Race. That just goes to show how much it means to us!
kirsty sharples (23/06/2008 at 15:16)
kirsty sharples (23/06/2008 at 19:22)
longsby (26/06/2008 at 00:44)
Harwood Blue, great harwood (28/06/2008 at 23:48)
longsby
26/06/2008 at 00:44
get a grip, i take it you have never been on holiday then, if a bit of flesh on a lovely sunny day offends you then im affraid you have a serious problem !!!
IF it was policed correctly and the off license didnt sell crate after crate to already intoxicated people all this uproar wouldnt have happened, the police need to look at themselves before they start calling the (supposed) trouble makers, police it proper and cut out the bother !!!!
SUTTON, Rishton City (08/07/2008 at 11:48)