I WRITE in response to the letter written by Mr Sloan of Westhoughton. The issue of young people causing problems in Westhoughton is a continuing one.

It is not a problem confined to Hall Lee Bank Park.

The park is a pleasant track of woodland that runs off Park Road. It is a public open space and managed with the help of the Hall Lee Bank Park trustees and volunteers. It is a nature area for the use of all residents of Westhoughton to enjoy not just those who reside on Bankside.

The incident of crime and disorder within the park is at a very low level. Indeed the park has only one crime recorded from the past few years when someone removed some wooden fencing panels.

Since the start of the year young people have taken to meeting up in the park. This has led to some residents from Bankside bringing the behaviour to the attention of the local police. The behaviour reported includes drinking and being generally rowdy. Police officers have attended and confiscated alcohol from those under the age of eighteen and there details reported. Officers will continue to patrol the area.

Nevertheless, as a result of this development and a further letter written by Mr Sloan, I visited the park with him and the Police Community support officer for the area, Steve Howard. What I discovered was the damage as pictured in the Bolton Evening News article, January 18, was in fact historic. The litter problem included discarded prams, flood debris, general litter, dog fouling as well as discarded bottles and cans.

The Police, Council, Youth Services and partner agencies continue to work hard to reduce youth generated anti-social behaviour where it flourishes.

The west of Bolton has more on-street drinking bans than any part of the borough. Together we have made great strides to reduce the availability of alcohol to young people with our work with trading standards and operation Townsafe.

If youths are displaced as a result of enforcement action further efforts are made to ensure that no offences are being committed and to find a solution which is in proportionate to the given problem. Frequently this is enforcement action by the authorities but tolerance levels and parental responsibility remain an important element.

Inspector Simon Miskell

Horwich