The final straw for Coun Paul Prescott was the attempted robbery of a 60-year-old woman in Pemberton last week in which she was repeatedly punched in the face and chest.

This incident came after a number of deliberate fires were set in industrial bins at the rear of Ormskirk Road shops in the same car park. The fires could have spread to the shops.

Coun Prescott says that previous attempts to motivate local store owners into contributing towards CCTV for the car park, next to St John's Church, has been met with enthusiasm by a few but indifference by many.
He hopes, now that property is in danger, more will be galvanised into taking action.

He also hopes to secure a grant – funding is still available for curbing anti-social behaviour.
The mugging, which prompted the councillor's renewed call, took place at 12.50pm last Saturday when the woman got into her car at the back of Lamberhead Post Office after visiting the cash machine.

A man opened the door and tried to snatch her purse but the victim put up a struggle, clinging on to the purse.
At this point the thief hit her several times in the face and chest.
He eventually gave up and ran off empty-handed towards nearby St John's Church.

The woman was left with scratches to her face and was extremely distressed by what happened.
Coun Prescott has spoken to the woman since.

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