A POLICE chief has admitted that more needs to be done to tackle rising juvenile Crime in Bolton.

Supt Alan Greene said too many teenagers thought they would get away with it if they committed a crime.

Supt Greene said an extra 55 officers would soon be on the beat in the borough -- but tackling troublesome youths was likely to remain a problem.

"One of the problems with juveniles is that much of the punishment is not about stopping them doing what they are doing, but about rehabilitating them to prevent them from becoming hardened criminals," he said.

"The concern is that some youngsters think that if they do something wrong nothing will happen to them."

Supt Greene said his officers were working hard at tackling all crime, including those committed by youths.

Bolton officers have one of the highest detection and arrest rates in Greater Manchester.

Supt Greene said records showed that 27 per cent of robberies were detected.

But Bolton police believed they solved 90 per cent of robberies, in that those arrested in the 27 per cent of cases would have been behind the vast majority of the crimes.

"What we are aiming to do is catch these people more quickly, so that they do not go on to re-offend two, three, four or however many times," he said.

Supt Greene made his comments when he addressed the South East Bolton Community Forum at Trinity Methodist Church Hall, Farnworth. He told the audience that Farnworth's main problems were youth crimes and burglary and that most crimes were "juvenile on juvenile", involving the theft of bikes and mobile phones.

He said: "Burglaries in the Farnworth area are committed by unsophisticated, drug-addicted youths who break into homes during the day and are often witnessed.

"Unfortunately the rate of burglaries is higher than the national average and we are putting a lot of money into tackling this problem."

Chief Constable Michael Todd has pushed for more investment in Greater Manchester Police which has led to the recruitment of the extra 55 officers for Bolton.

Supt Greene said: "This will help a lot. It will mean our response times will get better."

Rapist appeal

SUPT Alan Greene has renewed a police appeal for help to catch the Moses Gate Country Park rapist. Officers are looking for new leads and clues as they hunt the sex fiend who assaulted a 17-year-old girl at knifepoint on February 25.

Supt Greene said: "This man is extremely dangerous and psychological profiles say that someone who has acted in this way is likely to do it again."

Anyone with any information is urged to ring Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Callers can remain anonymous.

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"The girl who was raped says the e-fit we have of the man is bang on and we are very anxious to catch him.