Police are continuing to investigate a report of a rape in Bolton town centre as Bolton Council stress work is being done to keep people safe.

Officers had cordoned off an area off Churchbank taking in a secluded footpath which runs behind Bolton Parish Church. 

Police taped off the area on Monday which stayed in place into the evening.

The cordoned-off footpathThe cordoned-off footpath (Image: Newsquest)

Cllr Rabiya Jiva, portfolio holder for Stronger Communities said: "We at the local authority's department for Stronger Communities are continuously working in partnership with GMP to keep people safe in the borough. 

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"One of the priorities is violence against women, we need to make sure that they particularly feel safe in the borough. 

"There is investment coming into the town centre, such as for street lighting, making for safer streets and the lighting budget in the town centre to develop that. 

"I would encourage members of the public to speak to us with any ideas around safety in Bolton that you feel would help, as there may be ones that we have not yet heard of or seen." 

She added: "I would always say you can always report anonymously on 101 or via Crimestoppers if you wanted to remain anonymous. 

The scene on ChurchbankThe scene on Churchbank (Image: Newsquest)

"There is also the national Victim Support service." 

Independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously on 0800 555111.

Churchbank is regularly used by pedestrians to get to Bury New Road via a subway which goes under St Peter's Way. 

A Greater Manchester Police spokesperson added: "The scene was stood down at 7.30pm last night."