IT is so awful to read about these horrendous crimes of armed robbery in Bolton.

I think of the workers and the public who are put through these sickening ordeals and wonder how they cope. Facing a hammer, knife, machete, iron bar or other hideously awful weapon must be utterly terrifying.

I hope the Bolton CID is being as well resourced as possible by the Chief Constable, the Police and Crime Commissioner and others responsible. I back all the calls to George Osborne and David Cameron to look again at the police budget for Greater Manchester.

Many want to see the best in armed robbery prevention going on in Bolton and this is about partnership work between police and businesses. The police know we hope they can bring convictions to send out a strong and determined message that Bolton does not want any organised armed robbers to laud it over innocent, law-abiding people and that anyone involved in this type of criminality will be dealt with by the police.

The town centre and local shops are important to so many people in Bolton and many do want every available resource the police have to bring to justice those who subject shopworkers and the public to wanton violence.

Cllr Sue Haworth

Harper Green ward