TACTICS used to rid Bolton’s streets of prostitution are to be used to combat anti-social behaviour in Farnworth.

The award-winning police strategy to deal with onstreet prostitution in Bolton town centre, Operation Zero, won plaudits for virtually eliminating the problem.

One of the tactics used was giving kerb crawlers hard-hitting letters from residents explaining how prostitution was blighting their lives.

Now police are planning to use similar tactics in Farnworth by asking residents to write and tell them how anti-social behaviour affects their lives.

Insp Phil Spurgeon, who came up with the idea, will be working with young people on May 25 as part of a three-month programme called Weekenders being run by Bolton Council’s youth services.

It will address issues such as anti-social behaviour, arson, alcohol and substance misuse.

Insp Spurgeon said: “I want them to understand, in clear terms, what the impact of their behaviour is on those who live, work and use Farnworth town centre.

“For example, someone may throw an egg at a taxi as a laugh, but it means taking the taxi off the road to clean up, and the driver may lose money or feel vulnerable.”

Anyone who contacts him will not be identified and Insp Spurgeon said he wants people to be “honest, blunt and use words that are clear and from the heart.”

In another drive to tackle anti-social behaviour, teenagers’ parents were invited to Farnworth police station to talk about their children.

Police say the number of incidents in the Bolton south area in this year’s Easter holidays were down by more than a third compared to last year.

There were 235 last year and 151 this year, while in Farnworth the number of incidents fell by 45 per cent from 71 to 39.

Anyone who wants to contribute can e-mail phil.spu geon@gmp.police.uk