A MAJOR new survey has mapped out Bolton's Crime blackspots more starkly than ever before. A detailed investigation into the scale of law breaking and the misery it brings to residents across the borough has identified the best and worst places to live in Bolton. In the most comprehensive study of crime in Bolton ever published, police have identified three key crime problems plaguing Bolton's streets - violent crime, especially domestic violence, burglary and problems with youths.

Some violent crime has spiralled by more than 90 per cent in just one year.

Now they have pledged to develop new projects to try to tackle the problems and they have vowed to consult the public and major groups in the town for their views.

The Bolton Crime and Disorder Audit Report published today has been developed in line with new national Government plans designed to find new ways to cut crime.

A detailed beat-by-beat analysis of the town has identified six black-spot zones - described as beats which "merit increased attention".

They are Great Lever; Manchester Road, Burnden; Farnworth town centre; Farnworth Park; Dixon Green; and Halliwell.

In the worst beats there is a crime rate as high as 35.3 crimes per 100 homes

The least crime is recorded in beats which cover Hulton Park, Bromley Cross and Egerton, Dovebank, Little Lever and Prestolee. There the crime rate runs as low as between one and five crimes per 100 homes.

Rapidly increasing reports of violence on Bolton's streets have prompted a pledge of action.

Violent attacks in the home is a particular problem, with the town named as the domestic violence capital of Greater Manchester in the latest crime figures for 1997-98, with 2,809 incidents reported.

During that time reported serious wounding rose by 24.3pc, minor wounding by 91pc and indecent assault against women by 39.1pc.

While the number of burglaries has fallen in the latest figures by 1.6pc, but Bolton's still suffers a higher than average rate of burglaries compared to the rest of Greater Manchester.

Problems of vandalism related to general anti-social behaviour - much of it involving youths - rose by 20 pc.

In addition to the detailed crime figures, information in the crime audit includes reports from Bolton Council's housing, social services, and education departments, Greater Manchester Fire Service, the magistrates court, community drugs team and probation service. Wigan and Bolton Health Authority has also identified the key crime issues they think should be dealt with.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.