A councillor has escalated concerns from residents to police following a series of garden thefts in Crompton and further afield.

Rabiya Jiva says that locals are fed up after reporting valuables being stolen multiple times over the past few months.

In July 2022, a man was caught on camera appearing to balance on top of a van to steal from gardens on Arnold Street and behind Hughes Street in the Halliwell area.

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Cllr Jiva – who represents Crompton - explained that this wasn’t just an issue in the Crompton area, but that it was part of a wider issue, which has also happened in Rumworth and Bury.

She said: “To have people take your valuables while you’re out working is unacceptable and in broad daylight as well.

“This is only going to get worse if we allow this to continue.

“I am highly concerned as this was originally raised via The Bolton News on July 19 and with police.

“We need to take swift action, especially when the evidence is so clear. Individuals committing this crime, have got brave and are openly committing crime.”

Just this week a Crompton resident said that some men had been seen in the area with a van stealing items from residents’ backyards.

He said: “They are going around and whenever they see anything worth a penny in anyone’s back yard they jump over the door or break the door down, enter the back yard and then take the valuables.

“When confronted they often swear or shout abusive language.”

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A local resident in Astley Bridge added: “I have just seen a guy stood on a van whilst the van was moving down the back street. He was looking into everyone’s back gardens. Be careful.”

Another resident in Halliwell said: “I encountered these two guys this morning while cleaning a house on Wilmot Street.

“I got the reg number and a picture. One actually entered a back garden a few doors down.

“Apparently, according to him, if your gate isn’t locked, he can enter.”

Other residents have also tried to warn each other in the local community forum Nextdoor.

Cllr Rabiya said that some thieves are getting a bit stronger and are coming back.

She added: “They are taking valuable goods and anything that they can sell from people’s gardens, which has become a little business for the thieves.

“They are making money off selling scrap metal and valuables to fund their habits and lifestyle.

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“Multiple residents have also called for the police to take action. CCTV has been obtained by multiple residents. What are they supposed to do?”

Cllr Jiva has now raised this again with police so that “action can be taken quickly”.

If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.