Police need to build the “confidence of residents” in the borough, the Bolton councillor responsible for public safety has said.

Councillors were recently addressed by Bolton police's Chief Superintendent Stephanie Parker to review progress made since she took over the role last September.

Cllr Mudasir Dean, the cabinet member for stronger communities, said while there is still work still to be done, progress had been made.

He said: “This meeting was called to get an update from GMP on the work over the last year since the new chief constable has come in.

“It was very positive.

“Police are talking the talk we will see if they can walk the walk.

“They are answering calls and being proactive rather than responsive.

“Things are not perfect, there is room for improvement.

“I am confident if they carry on in the right direction Bolton will be a safe place to live.

“Police have the confidence of councillors, now they need to build the confidence of residents of Bolton.”

He was full of praise for the planning of recent Operation Avro.

During a day of activity, police carried out raids, cracking down on drugs, violence and other serious crimes in Bolton.

Areas targeted included Great Lever, Halliwell, Tonge Moor and Farnworth as between 80 and 100 officers converged on Bolton along with specialist units.

Cllr Dean said: “All credit to Stephanie Parker.

“There will be more local Avros with only local police.

“With the first one it was Merseyside, Cheshire and Lancashire Police other areas and GMP that came in to help us.”

He also praised the return of a police custody suite to Bolton police station.

“It started back up before Christmas, since March it has been fully operational. It is full most days," said Cllr Dean.

“It is helping. When somebody was arrested before this he had to be taken to Wigan.

“For a police officer this was the waste of a whole day.”