POLICE have mounted an operation to target anti-social behaviour.

Residents and traders based in and around Market Street, Westhoughton, say the area has been blighted by young troublemakers who hang around in the street.

They have reported rowdy gangs of youths scaring-off customers, drinking in the street and damaging property.

The new inspector for Bolton-west, Mo Razaq, has made Westhoughton town centre a priority and has launched an operation to combat the problem and rid the streets of troublemakers.

Insp Razaq said: "There's no room for them on Market Street.

"Response teams are currently looking at the problem and a more sustained operation will be developing in the upcoming weeks.

"We need to look at CCTV to gain the best possible evidence.

"There will be high profile policing and we will be following up cases with home visits.

"We will be pro-active in identifying offenders and bringing them to justice."

The move has been welcomed by local trader, Mario Neophytou, who owns The Chippy, in Market Street.

He said the problem was worst on Friday and Saturday nights.

"I have customers telling me that they're too afraid to come in because there are groups of kids hanging around outside," he said.

"They're intimidating. Some of them just need somewhere to go, but others are rowdy and damage properties."

Cllr Arthur Price, borough councillor for Westhoughton North and Chew Moor, said: "We need to nip this in the bud before it gets any more out of hand."