EMOTIONS ran high as police met with residents following a recent crimewave.

People living in Astley Bridge have been left concerned for their safety after a spree of robberies and burglaries around the Ashworth Lane area.

Some had questioned what police were doing about the problem but officers have moved to offer their reassurances that they are doing everything they can to sort the problem.

Inspector Mike Reid, from Greater Manchester Police's Bolton borough, joined Astley Bridge councillors Paul Wild and Hilary Fairclough at Bank Top Church, in Ashworth Lane, to listen to people's concerns and let them know what police are doing.

Speaking to the meeting, Inspector Reid said: "A lot of operations have been running in Bolton around burglaries but a lot of that work is going on unseen.

"We have to be a bit cuter due to the resources we have. We are working very very hard.

"There is a lot of time and effort being put in to it and we are gathering as much information as we can."

He acknowledged that police do not have the resources they once had and that there has been a spike in burglaries across the borough.

The problem came to a head on Thursday morning when armed men raided the Nisa Local convenience store in Ashworth Lane.

A woman who was working in the shop at the time spoke of her fears as she was set to return to work today.

She said: "I feel really frightened now. I have been frightened to leave my own home but I did not want to let them destroy my life."

She said that when police attended she was told someone would be in touch and she has yet to be contacted.

Inspector Reid apologised for this and promised that he would make sure someone got in touch.

Many residents from around the Ashworth Lane area called for better communication between themselves and police.

One said: "There is no communication between residents and police. People need the police to help them feel safe."

Cllr Fairclough backed the calls, adding that we are 'never going to have enough police' and that people need to make sure they are liaising with police.

Another resident added: "We just want to be confident that we are safe in our own homes. We know you are working as hard as you can and there is a lot of pressure."

Inspector Reid said he would take all of the residents' concerns away with him and report to those higher up.

He also urged residents to set up a Homewatch scheme, so they can continue to work together to prevent crime.

Cllr Fairclough added that she has heard that due to the increase in crime in Astley Bridge they are due to get a new officer.

Inspector Reid said: "We are constantly having to change the way we make our decisions. We are working tirelessly. We are doing as much as we can to put officers in the area. You can't always see what we are doing."

Closing the meeting, Cllr Wild thanked Inspector Reid for attending and urged action.

He said: "We are not talking about platitudes. We do not want to be seen to be talking and go out the door and it all then goes out the window."