RESIDENTS living by a park where two boys were stabbed say they are too scared to leave their homes at night.

People living next to Astley Bridge Park say the open space is blighted by gangs of youths drinking, fighting and shouting throughout the night.

On Friday night two teenagers were stabbed in the park, before desperately stumbling to Asda in Blackburn Road, dripping with blood, to call for help.

The attack comes just months after a 15-year-old was stabbed with a screwdriver in nearby Moss Bank Way.

Now residents say youths in the park are a constant menace, and some are too scared to leave their homes at night.

Sean Brooks, aged 17, was stabbed in the back of the neck and Simon Williamson, aged 16, was stabbed in the leg. Both were bleeding profusely.

They told staff at Asda they had been talking to a large gang of youths before a fight broke out.

The next day, Callum Smyth, a nine-year-old boy playing football in the park with his dad, said it was common to see youths fighting in the park and being chased by police.

He said: “These lads come from Halliwell and start fighting. Sometimes you see them throwing stuff in the bushes while they’re being chased by police so they don’t get caught.”

His dad, James Smyth, aged 42, of Broad o’ th’ Lane, said: “It does feel threatening, especially at night.

“When you see large gangs of them with hoods up, you do worry. I think it should be more lit up.”

Nearby residents Jack and Barbara Rodgers have only lived alongside the park for three months, but they have already seen youths setting fire to trees and throwing missiles at people’s houses.

Mr Rodgers said: “We were burgled a fortnight ago, and we get worried sometimes when we see people hiding in the bushes.”

Barbara Bateman, aged 73, of Broad o’ th’ Lane has metal cages barring all the windows in her bungalow.

She said: “We’ve always got kids in the park. At one time it seemed to be just Friday and Saturday, but now it’s all the time.

“I know the council is trying to do something about it — we had a leaflet through the door — but it doesn’t seem to have quietened down at all.

“Girls are always screaming. You wouldn’t know if someone was in trouble or not, because they’re always shouting and screaming.”

She added: “I’ve got a daughter who only lives around the corner, but I never go there at night. There’s always a group of youngsters wandering up and down the road.”

Police have stepped up patrols in the park after the double stabbing on Friday, and Det Sgt Mike Gladwin said the two victims were lucky to be alive.

Both were taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital after the attack, but have now been discharged.

Det Sgt Gladwin said: “The victims in this case have suffered quite serious injuries, but nevertheless they have been quite fortunate that they haven’t been life-threatening, particularly the lad with the neck injury.”

He added: “Knife crime is totally unacceptable. We would urge any witnesses to the incident who were in the park at the time to come forward.”

Anyone with information should contact Bolton CID on 0161 856 5740, or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

l A 16-year-old boy has been arrested in connection with the incident and released on bail pending further inquiries.