Little Lever police reassure residents and issue warning

The Bolton News has previously reported how shopkeepers are being abused and fireworks set off as youths run riot in Little Lever as anti-social behaviour continues to rise in the village.

Bolton South Neighbourhood Inspector Keiron Maddocks said: “The South Neighbourhood team are aware of the ASB issues currently being experienced around Little Lever.

“Over recent weeks we have been proactively patrolling the area and when we have identified the youths responsible, referrals have been made to partners in the community safety team so that interventions can commence.

“Prior to Christmas, dispersal orders were authorised to provide officers with extra powers to deal with this kind of behaviour; this is a tactic I will be happy to repeat in the future.

“The local neighbourhood team were out in Little Lever at the weekend and responded to reports of youths causing damage.

“One youth was arrested at scene and has been charged with the offence of criminal damage.

“We will continue to proactively police the location and utilise all available tactics to deal with the issues being experienced by residents.

“I urge anyone who is affected by these issues to report it to the police. I am aware that local officers are working with other partner agencies to bring youth services into the area.

“I have previously spoken to Cllr Andrea Taylor-Burke and reassured her that my officers are dedicated to tackling this problem and the local team was already working on finding a solution.

“I am keen to work with Cllr Andrea Taylor-Burke and residents over the coming weeks as we look to target the individuals responsible.”

Sign up to our newsletters to get the latest stories sent straight to your inbox.

Cllr Taylor-Burke said she was ‘at her whit’s end’ due to a bin fire in the Little Lever memorial garden on Saturday evening.

The memorial garden is located off Market Street (Image: Google)

In a post on Facebook, Cllr Taylor-Burke urged parents to speak with their children, adding: “Do you know where your children are??

“I know exactly where mine are all the time but I also know they would never damage property.”

Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue confirmed it was called to the incident at just after 9pm on Saturday, but the fire was already out when a crew arrived.

Greater Manchester Fire & Rescue confirmed it was called to the incident at just after 9pm on Saturday, but the fire was already out when a crew arrived.

If you have a story, I cover the whole borough of Bolton. Please get in touch at jack.fifield@newsquest.co.uk.