Working together for a safer Rossendale Valley
Dear parents and carers,
As a group of headteachers in the Rossendale Valley, we are writing to you today with a shared message concerning our community. We are incredibly proud of our young people, the vast majority of whom are excellent ambassadors for our schools and their families. However, we have recently been contacted by the Rossendale Neighbourhood Policing Team regarding an escalation in anti-social behaviour in Rawtenstall town centre.
The police have highlighted that large groups of youths are regularly gathering in the evenings, particularly in the town square near the bus station and around the temporary market. While many young people meet up simply to socialise, the sheer size of these crowds can look highly threatening and intimidating to other local residents, shoppers, and commuters using public transport.
As a collective of schools, we are urging all parents and carers to take steps, as necessary, to know exactly where their children are in the evenings. We strongly encourage you not to allow your children to hang around in Rawtenstall or any of our local town centres in large groups.
The central theme of our appeal is community partnership. Schools, police, and local businesses are doing their part, but we cannot achieve a lasting solution alone. We all have a vital role to play, parents and carers included, to ensure that the Rossendale Valley remains a safe, welcoming, and inclusive place for every member of our community.
Please take the time to talk to your child about this letter, the impact of group dynamics on others, and the importance of choosing safe, constructive environments for their evening activities. Thank you for your continued support and collaboration in keeping our community safe.
Yours faithfully,
