Officers investigating vehicle crime in Westhoughton make series of arrests

Officers investigating vehicle crime in Westhoughton have made a series of arrests as they clamp down on anti-social behaviour in the community.

On Sunday 30 April, officers were called to several reports of vehicles being found damaged in the Westhoughton area of Bolton.

In the days that followed, extensive enquiries by the neighbourhood in the Bolton West area led to the arrests of five juveniles and one adult on suspicion of damage to a motor vehicle and theft from a motor vehicle.

All those arrested have been interviewed and released on strict bail conditions whilst the investigation continues, including a review of all forensic opportunities.

Inspector Jamie Hibbert, of GMP's Bolton division, said: "Officers will continue to give increased patrol attention to the areas where the offences have occurred following this spike in offending concentrated over the last two weeks of April. 

"At this time I would like to thank all persons who have assisted the Police so far in the investigation and also to praise the hard work of the investigation team. 

"We will continue to deal robustly with offending and offences such as this in the Westhoughton area by all tactical options available to us. From arrests where necessary to referrals into partner agencies to put children identified in lower level offending onto the Anti-Social Behaviour Pathway.  

"Though it may sound obvious, I would urge all parents to have a knowledge of where their own children are and what they are doing as the majority of those arrested here are juveniles. "

If you have any information, doorbell, or dash cam footage regarding this incident you can report this to GMP by calling 101 quoting log 900 of 30/4/2023 or online via the LiveChat function on our website: www.gmp.police.uk

Alternatively, you can report any information or crimes to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.