Throughout May, the team has been carrying out lots of activity to target vehicle crime and anti-social behaviour across the Bolton South area.

Following an arson attack in Bobby Heywoods Park a few months ago, we have been carrying out extra patrols here and are working with the Council to improve lighting and CCTV in this area.  Through various initiatives that have been run, we have recently seen a drop in anti-social behaviour. Initiatives include football sessions with Bolton Lads & Girls Club, to provide activities for youngsters in the area.

Other more problematic youths have been subject to Anti-social Behaviour Contracts and three young people have recently been involved in youth restorative disposal, following a burglary they committed. This is where the offenders have to meet with the victim, who helps to decide on a suitable community based punishment for them.

Following a spike in the number of cars being broken into in Farnworth over recent months, a dedicated vehicle crime operation has been running, which has now seen the number of incidents fall. Vehicle crime prevention materials have been handed to residents and shoppers, extra patrols carried out around hotpsot areas and the vehicle crime unit has targeted known offenders, all of which have now led to a drop in this crime.

In just three days in Farnworth town centre, around 60 motorists were spoken to and warned by police as they had left items on show in their vehicle, or left doors and windows open or unlocked.

Joint operations with Trading Standards have continued to be carried out at Lever Street market and these have resulted in around £200,000 worth of counterfeit goods being recovered over recent months.

We are also soon launching a new bottle-marking scheme with off-licences in and around the Kearsley area, to track sale of alcohol to under-18s, either by shops selling it to them directly, or from people buying it on their behalf.

I would like to thank you for working with your local officers and hope that you will continue to support us.
 

Inspector Ian Parker

To speak to your dedicated local officers about crime or anti-social behaviour issues affecting you in your community, please call 0161 856 5608 or email boltonsouth.neighbourhoodteam@gmp.police.uk