A WEEK of action against fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour was carried out in Great Lever last week.

Officers reported a clean bill of health after they stepped up work in the area and said they received "very few" complaints of anti-social behaviour.

Police went on patrols with environmental services staff at Bolton Council in fly-tipping hotspots to address the concerns of residents.

They also toured the area's schools, giving talks to pupils and introducing them to the police's work.

The third strand of the action was tackling anti-social behaviour in the area on Bonfire Night and

Sgt Kevin Wright, of Bolton Central neighbourhood policing team, said: "The main purpose of the week is to see if there are any recurring issues people need resolving.

"It is a fantastic way for us to problem solve and connect with the community.

"A few months ago we had issues in Bobby Heywood Park but after we worked together for a week and concentrated our efforts there we solved them.

"It has been a fantastic week as we've had no major complaints and not much anti-social behaviour reported on Bonfire Night."

Police distributed leaflets to houses warning residents of the penalties they risk incurring if they dump waste.

They also attended a firework display at The Brooklyn Pub on November 5, giving out fire safety advice, as part of their Operation Treacle efforts.

The team visited St Simon and St Jude Primary, Clarendon Primary School and Bolton Muslim Girls' School during the week's work.

In addition to making children aware of then dangers of fireworks, trick-or-treating without parental supervision and treating residents respectfully while taking part in the Hallowe'en convention, they also introduced many of them to police work.

Sgt Wright added: "We went to several schools and gave talks to several classes.

"It is a good way, particularly with the very young ones, of making them familiar with the police at a young age.

"It helps them relax and feel comfortable around the police and also gives them an early idea of what the police do and how we operate."

Police carry out a 'week of action' in Great Lever every few months and are planning their next offensive in the area for after Christmas.

Great Lever was the subject of a concerted effort from council, police and the fire service a few years ago, after a spate of wheelie bin fires in the area.

The area had one of the worst rates of bin arsons in Greater Manchester at that stage but after hundreds of unnecessary bins were removed from the streets, its record improved greatly.

A similar initiative has recently been launched in Rumworth.

PANEL

Great Lever Schools

Primary

Bishop Bridgeman CE Primary School,

Essa Primary School,

Lever Edge Primary School,

St Michael's CE Primary School,

SS Simon and Jude CE Primary School

St William of York RC Primary School.

Secondary

Essa Academy