A CHIEF inspector last night pledged to crack down on prostitution -- and said people in Bolton will see a visible improvement by March next year.

Ch Insp Alan Greene made the promise to people in the Haulgh, where teenager Carly Bateman was murdered.

Inspector Greene was speaking to residents last night who packed into the Burnden, Daubill and Deane area forum to plead with councillors and area workers to rid the area of crime, violence, prostitution and drugs.

Residents have suffered years of problems with prostitution in the area with kerb crawlers, sex acts on the streets, disused needles and condoms lying around. Women and schoolgirls have been approached for sex.

"Supt Don Brown has said you will see an improvement in the policing of prostitution and on that you have my word," said Insp Greene, who oversees the Haulgh.

"We do recognise that we have to clear prostitution out of the residential areas."

Ch Insp Greene said there is a concern about how sustainable that is, but pledged that by March residents' quality of life in the Haulgh would improve.

He added: "There are a number of things we will be doing, both covert and overt. We will make arrests and deter people."

Burnden councillor Prentice Howarth called on the police to target the kerb crawlers and the men controlling the prostitution.

She said: "Let us get some of these pimps and kerb crawlers into court. I think we have failed on that.

"We are doing a lot of good work with the girls to get them off drugs and away from prostitution.

"If you get rid of the kerb crawlers, the girls have no choice."

Supt Don Brown has said there will be a police crackdown on kerb crawlers using greater powers introduced by the Government in October. It means officers can arrest and question suspected kerb crawlers immediately at the police station rather than serving them a summons to appear in court at a later date.

Residents also asked council officers at the area forum for a traffic regulation order and use of bollards in Crawford Avenue -- the road where Carly's body was found in an alleyway.

Doug Summers, of Castle Street, said: "People with properties adjoining have to cope with condoms and all sorts. It has been used for years as the place the prostitutes take their customers.

"A lot of families now want the road blocked off. At least that would keep them away. We think this is the way forward."

Bolton council environment officer Richard Cowley promised to look into it.