An area of Bolton has been branded a crime hotspot - with one Town Hall boss saying offences are being committed in plain sight.

A senior councillor said that people 'can't fail' to see crime being committed if they stood in a an area of Deane Road for an hour.

Violent crime to drugs offences and anti-social behaviour is said to take place at the bottom of Deane Road.

Now following a survey by residents measures to keep locals  safe and make the area less attractive to criminals is now being discussed.

The issues surrounding Deane Road, near the shops and council yard were discussed by Bolton Council at a meeting.

The Bolton News:

Cllr Musdasir Dean, the cabinet member for safer communities, said he had recently been on a litter pick and noticed the vast number of issues with crime in the area.

He said: “Anybody that goes there, that stands near the bottom of Deane Road, cannot miss out on crime, viewing crime.

“I guarantee you, go and spend an hour, in that area, and you will see drugs, money and people dropping litter.”

He thanked ward councillors for carrying out a survey from residents, and urged people to report incidents.

Cllr Dean said: “The biggest message to all of the residents should be please report all crime, all antisocial behaviour and all fly tipping.

“People have stopped reporting it, thinking it is no use.

“It needs to be reported.”

Alley gating is a measure being considered to deter the criminals.

This is where security gates are put up in alleys and at private residences.

Cllr Ayyub Patel, who represents the area said he had been involved in discussions where this was highlighted as a solution.

He said crime was a huge problem including fly tipping, drug dealing and anti social behaviour.

He said the area to the north of Deane Road near the council depot, is a bad spot because the congested streets allow criminals to flee easily and that alleygating could counteract this.

Cllr Patel said: “The residents of Deane Road neighbouring the Deane area council’s yard (the Mayor Street depot) and Deane Road shops is obviously very heavily impacted by crime.

“There was recently a stabbing there where the victim was very seriously injured.

“We’ve had a meeting with the residents, and some of the alleyways and the gateways in that residential area are used by criminals for antisocial behaviour, crime and drugs.

“Alley gating is a topic that has been mooted by the residents as a way forward.

“We’ve also had discussions with our community safety team, the police, highway and environment department to look at something like an alley gating team.”

He added: "I would urge residents to report this, when they consider alleygating they need to see figures."

Councillor Shamim Abdullah said the area had deteriorated in the last year.

She said: "Drug dealers leave their cars here.

"In the last 12 to 18 months I have had two cars recovered.

"This was done through the council.

"These are beautiful houses inside, everybody knows everybody.

"It is just outside there are problems."