Bolton: Brick attacks reported at Farnworth Bus Station

The buses were targeted mostly around Farnworth Bus Station on Monday August 7 at around 3.30pm with witnesses reporting a group of youths, one appearing to have been as young as seven or eight, involved.

A large group of youngsters, some wearing balaclavas, were later reported to have been around a nearby Asda from around 5pm until the early hours of the following morning.

Cllr Sue Haworth, who represents Farnworth North, said: “We need an increase in police now to reduce the out-of-control crime and ASB carried out by children and young people here.

“We also need an increase in youth club sessions in Farnworth and on-street youth workers who have had good success in Farnworth in the past, something I am lobbying for at Bolton Council.

Three buses were damaged (Image: Public)

“Farnworth deserves its own standalone large Youth Centre which I would love to see here in this town.”

Several people were injured, including an elderly woman who was “shaken up” when a brick was thrown at the 129 bus to Walkden, according to Cllr Haworth.

Another passenger was injured when a bus driver had to make a sudden brake.

Farnworth Bus Station (Image: Public)

Cllr Haworth has said that as well as policing, more must be done to improve youth services in the area.

She said: “Outside of school, there isn’t enough for children and teenagers to do in Farnworth.

“This is one reason contributing to a rise in anti-social behaviour in the town centre that has recently directly harmed a pensioner which is totally unacceptable.

“Matters must be improved in order to drive down the risk of people being hurt by ASB."

Cllr Sue Haworth represents Farnworth North on Bolton Council (Image: Cllr Sue Haworth)

“These children have been through a pandemic, schools got closed, mental health distress has risen, families are struggling with finances, these children will have to toe the line, but they have got needs too which in my role as a ward councillor I want to see addressed.

“We know that ASB, drink and drugs are some of the worst choices teenagers can make for themselves.

“I made these choices at age 15 and had to recover from it.

"Looking back, they felt less like choices and more like coping mechanisms.”

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She added: “We have brilliant charities providing youth activities in Farnworth but we do need more of them since Zacs Youth Bars had to close in both Kearsley and Farnworth after the pandemic.

“It’s devastating that we lost Zacs.

“Workers got on so well with teenagers and made a real impact to the lives of children here.”     

Bolton police are currently running the Safe4Summer campaign targeting anti-social behaviour in neighbourhoods.

Recently youths  were detained in Bromley Cross after causing damage to a building site.

As part of a Safe4 Summer campaign, Greater Manchester Police are asking parents if they know where their children are and to expect a knock on their door if they are caught breaking the law.

Anyone with any information or concerns can contact Greater Manchester Police on 101.

Cllr Haworth has also appealed for charities interested in working with young people to email her at susan.haworth@bolton.gov.uk.