Bolton: Little Lever yobs cause boy to be injured

Cllr Andrea Taylor-Burke told The Bolton News that the young boy was riding his bike through the ginnel between Foundry Street and Jessop Forge when he was knocked off his bike, with the wire catching his face.

It is understood that the young boy hurt his head and face as a result.

The youths also damaged the new fence that was put up near the new hub.

Cllr Burke is now concerned that this is an issue that is getting out of hand.

She said: “If the young lad had drove at any more speed, it could have been a lot worse and it could have seriously hurt the young lad.

“It’s quite traumatic for him to go through.

Impact of the fence that was vandalised at the health centre (Image: Councillor)

“They aren’t really seeing how dangerous it is and they probably think it is funny.

“But it’s upsetting that they don’t respect anything.”

She says this has since been reported to the council and the police, and she admitted that Little Lever and Darcy Lever are currently facing a huge issue with antisocial behaviour.

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Cllr Burke explained that she knows this is not all youths in the area, but that a “handful of youths” are continuing to cause problems.

In Little Lever they currently only have a police constable (PC) who may have to respond to calls, and Cllr Burke said that it might not be until the new year until they can get a police community support officer (PCSO).

She said: “I am working with the police to get more of a police presence because we need a PCSO.

“PCSO’s are feet on the ground.

Cllr Burke is hoping to tackle the issues (Image: Councillor)

“We used to have one who was walking on the streets and who was out and about and present.

“The kids know there isn’t a PCSO, and the antisocial behaviour has increased because they know no one is there to keep an eye on them.”

Cllr Burke also said that she is now trying to get some funding to keep the youths occupied because she says there “isn’t anything for them to do”.

However, she fears that this may not be enough on its own, and she aims to also work with schools in the area, who can reach out to some of the parents.

She added: “It’s about educating them so that they respect where they live and understand what they are doing.

“It’s an ongoing challenge, so we need all parties involved including schools, police, and parents show them how to be respectful in the community.

“It’s not the only place it happens but has become worse this year.”

She has now urged parents who may not be speaking to their children about this type of behaviour to do so.

Read More: 

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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.