A LARGE number of teenage girls are becoming victims of “serious sexual assaults” in Bolton town centre while drunk, a licensing hearing was told.

The problem was revealed in a report to a hearing at Bolton Town Hall yesterday, at which licensing chiefs imposed restrictions on a town centre bar’s opening hours.

The hearing was told that there have been 17 incidents of various crimes, ranging from theft to assault — at or near Bar Lush in Bradshawgate since it reopened in August last year.

There was also one allegation of rape outside the bar on April 21, the meeting was told.

A report by one of the council’s public health bosses, Jayne Litter, stated that a “high number” of serious sexual assaults took place in Bradshawgate on Fridays and Saturdays between midnight and 4am, PC Jane Wilcock said.

PC Wilcock told the meeting: “The victims are between 15 and 19 years old. All have been drinking and the victims and perpetrators are often drunk at the time of these serious assaults.”

Police said that excessive drunkeness at Lush was an issue and interim conditions were imposed last month meaning that staff had to undertake alcohol awareness training.

PC Wilcock added that the venue cannot regulate itself — on one occasion, since the interim conditions were imposed, a 15-year-old girl was found inside the bar, having not been asked for ID by door staff.

Lush owner Rosolino Granata also gave evidence at the hearing, saying failings at the bar had been addressed.

Staff have been given training and the fire exit has been alarmed.

Solicitor Andy Grimsey said the venue had gone beyond the interim conditions by appointing a meet and greeter and carrying out an internal review of security.

He said: “Maintaining the hours to 3.30am could kill the business.

“This started with a serious incident. There would not be a review if that incident had not happened.

“We have tried to comply with the conditions and have accepted a couple of mistakes.”

Committee chairman Cllr Kevan Jones said: “The committee has resolved that the interim steps were appropriate and that some have been met but there have been further incidents.”

The committee ordered that the last entry for customers will be 3.30am. There must be CCTV at the back exit and an alarm on the fire door.

All staff must be trained and have refresher training every six months.