SIR: We would like to write in support of the various people who have written in commenting on the trouble residents are experiencing in the Wolfenden Street area.

The residents, many of them elderly people, have had to suffer night after night with gangs of youths roaming around in their gardens, playing music loudly and creating lots of litter. These youths also play football across Wolfenden Street abusing any unfortunate driver who happens to drive through their game. We are also worried about students at our Centre having to walk or drive past these youths.

A few weeks ago we experienced first hand a bout of meaningless vandalism from a gang of young people who broke into our new building and caused substantial damage (this was reported on the front page of the Bolton Evening News). We had fought for several years to get the money for this building for the Community to use. It is used by people in the area for weddings, engagements, clubs and groups and some of the people using it we think are families of those causing the damage.

Do they not realise that every pound spent repairing damage deprives their families, sisters and brothers from getting the resources needed for their education. Can someone not get the message through.

I Handley

Chairman - User Group

Wolfenden Community Centre.

What can be done to stop vandalism and gangs of youths causing distress to people? You will have your say in Talking Point on Monday.

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