Police say youths are now climbing on roofs in the town centre – weeks after officers pledged to fight back against yobs in the town
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
Youngsters have ‘climbed on the roofs’ of businesses in a Greater Manchester town centre that’s reportedly been ‘overrun’ by yobs.
Police and Wigan council staff have stepped up patrols in Ashton-in-Makerfield following a spate of anti-social behaviour where young people have forced businesses to close early, thrown rocks at passersby, smoked inside premises and smashed up bus stops. One woman who tried to document the thuggishness had her phone snatched from her hand and thrown to the ground.
“I hadn’t had anything like that before,” Helen Lawson recalled. “But I know there’s been kids climbing on buildings, meeting up, throwing things at cars, harassing people.
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“They were all gathering in front of my business and I had concerns because I’ve had kids throwing each other into my window before. Lads on bikes came to the front and snatched my phone out of my hand.
“Outside KFC another lad threw ice cubes at me and I had a drink thrown over me. They were so resilient and just wouldn’t move.”
Issues came to a head on February 8, when a KFC was forced to close early, prompting GMP to step up action. Cops have now issued a new update to residents, which confirms young people have been on roofs and said numerous young people had been ‘identified’ and ‘spoken with’.
(Image: Manchester Evening News)
A statement said: “The last few weeks Ashton-in-Makerfield Town Centre has seen a rise in antisocial behaviour (ASB) from the same group of youths. The team have been working hard identifying all involved.
“The schools have helped us identify the youths. We have been into the local school and spoke with students regarding the ASB.
“Targeted Youth Services from Wigan Council have been patrolling the town centre, which the local Neighbourhood Policing Team do on a regular basis.The team has been visiting businesses to offer safety advice and guidance to stop the youths climbing on the roofs of businesses.”
Police are now appealing for anyone with any more information or concerns to contact the force on 101 or or report anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.