Residents have been meeting with the local authority to discuss concerns over growing anti-social behaviour in Breightmet.

Bradshaw councillor and the new cabinet member for stronger communities and policing, Mudasir Dean, had an ‘emergency’ meeting with residents around Monks Lane and New Lane last Friday when residents raised their concerns on issues such as anti-social behaviour, highlighted by recent events where police have been called, and parking issues.

An recent incident on involved police attending a fight between three men where one man suffered multiple injuries, including to his back, shoulder and arms and was taken to hospital.

This led to 28-year-old Matthew Williams being charged with possession of an offensive weapon, common assault and affray.

These types of incident are becoming all too regular for many residents, who say conditions in the area have got significantly worse over the last four or five years.

Cllr Dean said: “We had a really good discussion about the deterioration of the area over the last two or three years or so.

“Everyone felt pretty comfortable before that but over the last couple of years it had got significantly worse and definitely a lot more dangerous.

“A few families felt as though they may be being targeted but they had no idea why.

“There are a number of families that are having issues which is no good at all.”

Monks Lane and New Lane appear to be the areas worst affected by the anti-social behaviour, with police posting on many occasions that patrols were being stepped up in the area.

Police said they had been increasing patrols throughout the year in the area due to “recent incidents of disorder” at different points over the past eight months.

Officers also encouraged residents to contact the UCAN support centres in Bolton in an effort to tackle anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Dean added: “We’re going to take a multi-agency approach to dealing with the problem with the council, police, and Bolton at Home all hopefully meeting with residents.

“The conversations I had with residents really weren’t comfortable to hear so it’s something that really needs dealing with. The nice community feeling has gone from the area. If you went back five years there was a really strong and close community.

“The Rocket Pub used to do coffee mornings and things like that which really helped.

“What we really could do with is a knife amnesty bin in the area and just to overall raise awareness of these issues with people. It’s not going to be easy but we will keep working to solve these problems.”