RESIDENTS in a crime-plagued area of Bolton where teenage prostitute Carly Bateman was murdered criticised police chiefs last night and demanded to know: "Why did she have to die?"

As detectives continued the hunt for the killer of the 17-year-old who was found strangled in an alleyway in The Haulgh, homeowners in the area, which is on the outskirts of the red light area, called for tougher policing on the streets.

Supt Don Brown promised action to cut crime in the area and pledged to clamp down on prostitution as a matter of "high priority". He said extra police resources would be drafted in to improve the residents' confidence.

Supt Brown came under fire at a Public Voice on Policing meeting intended to keep residents informed of Bolton police's key crime-reducing targets for 2002. Ken Holden asked: "Why have the police failed The Haulgh? This meeting is just lip service. Two years ago we were promised more policing, more bobbies.

"We got one policeman for eight days. Since then, nothing. The residents warned police what would happen and on November 11 it did happen. People in this area are frightened of going to the shops at night."

Supt Brown said a police crackdown on "kerb crawlers" would be carried out, using the greater powers introduced by the government on October 1 where officers were allowed to arrest and question suspected kerb crawlers immediately at a police station, rather than serving them a summons to appear in court at a later date.

He said: "These men will be named in public." He also promised faster response times. But Community Safety Officer for Bolton Council, Mr Andy Dams, told the meeting that prostitution was not a priority for spending on the Bolton police budget for 2002.

His comment brought an angry response from residents who complained of a long list of crime and violence in the area which they say is triggered by prostitution and drugs. One mother said: "Our children cannot play outside their own homes. Prostitutes are soliciting as we walk our children home from school at 3.30pm.

"One day my child came running into the house after seeing two men perform gay sex acts on the street. I rang the police. They didn't turn up until the next day. The innocence of children is being completely destroyed."

Supt Brown promised an investigation: "Women and children have a right to walk the streets safely without fear of prostitution. I am committed to solving the problems." He added that Carly Bateman's death had added to his "resolve and determination" to tackle the problems.

Click HERE for background reports on the murdered teenage call girl