IT has been sad to read the recent reports in the press of a few ‘violence against the person’ incidents at night in Bolton town centre whilst the majority continue to have good nights out here.

This business of rapidly punching a stranger as a response to someone bumping into someone has been going on it seems. This is a reminder of how small the world is getting because we are all connected up on social media and news. These stranger hard punches called king hits or coward punches have been a problem in the USA and Australia over the last five years and led to new law in New South Wales, Australia, to try and ensure no perpetrators get off with light sentences.

Campaigners press for the word coward to be used in the courts and the press to reduce the ego of the offenders and to act as a deterrent. It is likely in Bolton as in England people still lack the knowledge that punching someone that causes them to fall and hit their head can easily lead to death or permanent brain damage.

I hope we can do more to step up education on this. When the perpetrators end up in the courts I hope they can be harshly sentenced for this behaviour in Bolton. It's nasty dehumanising crime. Why should they be given any leniency if they were under the influence of alcohol? The relatively small number of people committing violence in the town centre are not at all welcome and are spoiling the night life for the rest of us. I hope court sentences can be an effective deterrent and that these incidents reduce so that the majority of Bolton’s residents and visitors can continue to enjoy their nights out in Bolton town centre.

Councillor Sue Haworth

Harper Green ward