POLICE have led a crackdown on yobs who have plagued an area of Bolton by riding around on motorbikes.

Officers were called to Doffcocker to deal with anti-social behaviour, following complaints by residents.

And by making their presence felt, police have dramatically reduced the number of incidents.

Andrew Magee, aged 52, of Boot Lane, Doffcocker, said groups of youths on motorbikes have been causing mysery for months.

He said: "The area has been plagued by off-road motorcycling, combined with anti-social behaviour from the yobs involved.

"When I asked them to move on I was subjected to a torrent of foul language and threats."

Mr Magee made a number of calls to his local police station. Following his complaints to Greater Manchester Police, a community police officer visited him and since last Wednesday he said the area has much improved.

Mr Magee said: "He was brilliant, and the police have started to do something about it. Once the message got through I was quite happy about the response."

Sergeant Joy McMahon, from Horwich Police Station, said: "An operation has been put into place to deal with anti-social behaviour across the west area of Bolton as a whole.

"The initiative will involve high profile policing with officers working alongside the local authority and partnership agencies to target individuals and groups involved in anti-social behaviour in the area."