ASB update regarding social media post.

Good morning residents of Garstang and the surrounding area.

This a message I didn’t particularly want to write, but I feel obliged to given the circumstances.

I am aware of a social media post on a local community page where an incident has been highlighted which consisted of damage being caused to the disabled toilets on High Street at Garstang. 

The post contained photos and comments which essentially said that Police took no action. 

This is false and an untrue statement. 

To provide context, we suspect that the highlighted incident is from around 2 months ago. If this were a new incident it is unknown as to why this has only just been posted on social media and not reported to the Police.

Given the seriousness of the incident, myself and PCSO Atkinson went to the toilets at 0800 on 22/10/2025 (the morning after the post was created,) and found no damage consisting of what was photographed or mentioned. There was paper that had been burnt in the sink and as stated there was no damage as to what was photographed. This was recorded on body worn video. 

I must clarify, at no point has there been an incident where the Police have simply given up waiting outside of the toilets for youths to come out who were causing damage. As stated, this is false and not true. No report was made to the Police and we were made aware of this via a third party on Friday 12th September 2025. 

I am sure you can appreciate that it is disheartening to think that Police would not take any action and would act in a way that has been suggested on the post and in the comments. 

I also find it disappointing that we are living at a time where people are believing what they are reading on social media. 

The Police are here to protect you and your property, to ensure your safety and to act with honesty and integrity. I know that the UK media doesn’t portray this and that a bad news story against the Police is always interesting; so to speak. 

The youths in question were identified and have been dealt with accordingly and their parents informed. 

I will be sending out another message later today regarding ASB overall In Garstang and what action the Police have taken and are taking.

I will also be updating local councillors directly. 

Please feel free to reply to this message if you have any concerns you wish to discuss, or email me directly via 706@lancashire.police.uk

Thank you and stay safe,

PC 706 Mike Duff