A TIME, date and location has been set for a meeting to discuss concerns over crime in Westhoughton.

As reported, residents in the town have become worried over the level of crime and policing.

In December two businesses were hit by armed robbers in the space of an hour and people are also concerned about burglaries.

The meeting will be held at Westhoughton High School, on Wednesday, February 7 at 7pm.

It is a public meeting and representatives from the police along with partner agencies and organisations will be present to hear from residents and offer advice and support.

The meeting has been organised by Westhoughton councillors because of residents' concerns.

Just last week Hays Travel, in Market Street, was raided by axe-wielding armed robbers leaving staff terrified.

Following the armed robberies in December, Cllr David Chadwick, who represents Westhoughton South, said they wanted to hear residents' concerns and give them the chance to meet with police.

At a meeting of Westhoughton Town Council in November, PCs Paul Griffiths and Phil Burrows said the cut in officer numbers and the relocation of their base has hindered their presence in the town.

They said three years ago they had four officers and four PCSOs and now have two officers and three PCSOs.

Cllr Chadwick last year that crime is going up and there is a direct correlation between the reduction in officers and the increase in crime.

He said: "Basically the villains seem to have free reign to go round pointing guns and other unsavoury instruments at people, it is just appalling.

"We want to hear what residents concerns are. They are going to be upset. We are hoping to have police there."