POLICE are stepping up patrols in an area where a young man was stabbed last week as officers battle to crack down on crime.

Officers were sent to Walley Street in Crompton last Wednesday just after 8.45am following reports of a stabbing and a 20-year-old man was taken to hospital with serious injuries.

Police believe three men got out of a vehicle and entered an address on the road before leaving.

Following the incident, Crompton Cllr Hanif Darvesh said complaints had previously been made surrounding crime and anti-social behaviour on the same estate before.

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Cllr Darvesh said: “I remember around a year ago we spoke to Bolton at Home about the housing and the tenants that were living there.

“The police and Bolton Council are aware of the issue of drug-dealing and anti-social behaviour.”

In response, Bolton at Home’s director of housing services, Gemma Parlby, said: “As this is an active police investigation, we can’t speculate on the reasons behind the incident.

"We don’t tolerate any forms of antisocial behaviour or crime and we consistently work with local communities and our partners, including the council and police, to protect residents.”

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And now police have responded by stating that combating anti-social behaviour in Crompton is a "priority" and residents may notice an "increased police presence".

Inspector Alan Potts of Greater Manchester Police's Bolton division said: "We appreciate the concerns that our communities within Crompton have raised, and we understand how disruptive anti-social behaviour can be.

"Tackling anti-social behaviour in the area is a priority for the local neighbourhood policing team and we're working with residents and partner agencies to address concerns.

"I would encourage residents that experience issues to continue to contact ourselves and report every incident.

"We use reports made to us to form additional enforcement activity plans around the area and will take a zero tolerance approach to anyone who is disrupting the lives of our communities.

“We take reports of anti-social behaviour extremely seriously and as such, people in the Crompton area may notice an increased police presence while we respond to these concerns over the coming weeks.”

No arrests have been made in connection with the stabbing last week.

If you have any information contact police on 101 quoting reference number 602 of February 3.

Alternatively, call the indepedent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.

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