NEW Year revellers were today warned against causing trouble in Rossendale pubs after three people were arrested when fighting broke out on Boxing Day.

Bacup's newly appointed Inspector Dave Shepherd said new CCTV cameras in Bacup, Stacksteads and other Rossendale towns helped detect more crime.

He said there were CCTV cameras patrolling the majority of pubs in the Valley and people who cause trouble should be aware they will be caught.

The cameras are linked to the police control room and are part of the area's PubWatch scheme, which aims to wipe out trouble.

Insp Shepherd said the system helped detect trouble at the Rose and Bowl, Newchurch Road, Stacksteads, on Boxing Day.

Three people were arrested on the night and charged with affray and violent disorder.

John Law, landlord of the Rose and Bowl, said: "The camera has been in operation for about three months now which we are using in conjunction with the PubWatch scheme.

"Already six people have been banned from the 20 pubs signed up to the scheme so people should be aware that we will not tolerate trouble in our pubs."

Insp Shepherd, said: "I want people to be aware that we have an extra weapon in the fight against crime and that we are actively using it to help prevent and detect criminals.

"After the trouble on Thursday we used the CCTV which patrols the Rose and Bowl.

"I want the mindless yobs who insist in causing trouble to be sure that they will not get away with spoiling the New Year celebrations for other people trying to enjoy themselves.

"There are CCTV cameras patrolling the majority of pubs so people who do insist in causing trouble should be warned that they will be caught and action will be taken against them.

"Hopefully the people caught causing trouble on Thursday will be banned from the Valley's pubs which will act as a deterrent to other potential troublemakers on New Year's Eve and any other time."