A PIONEERING meeting giving young people the chance to combat crime has been hailed a success. Up to 40 youngsters, aged between 11 and 25 and from different youth centres across Bolton, met to discuss how the town can be made a safer place.

The special induction evening at Bolton Lads and Girls Club on Bark Street, Bolton, was set up to look at the possibility of creating a youth crime prevention panel.

As well as giving youngsters the chance to voice their crime-related fears, they also had the chance to highlight ways in which youth facilities could be improved.

Chris Harding, from Bolton Youth Service, said: "What came out most from the meeting was that young people also feel at risk and feel vulnerable.

"We have the perception that only older people fear for their safety, but even young people who are used to the society they live in have their own fears."

Youngsters from Westhoughton Drop-in Centre joined others from Farnworth and New Bury to discuss ways to beat Bolton criminals.

They were joined by members of Bolton's crime prevention panel, local police consultative representatives and PC Janet Parker, youth liaison officer in the town.

Joan Johnson, chairman of the crime prevention panel, said: "There was a real sense of good citizenship and as a first meeting it was excellent.

"There was a wide range of issues covered from supporting the elderly to helping people with disabilities. I think they want Bolton to be a safer place for all age groups.

"We look forward to the next meeting and to this concept going from strength to strength."

A second meeting of the youth crime prevention panel, possibly to be held in Bolton Town Hall, is planned for the end of October.