MORE than 1,300 residents in Blackrod have signed a petition calling for an increase in community policing.

The petition has been handed to Bolton West MP Tom Sackville who has promised to take up the residents' concerns with Bolton's Chief Superintendent John Bartlett.

The petition was organised by the vicar of St Katharine's, the Rev Roger Cooper, prompted by recent "escalating disturbances".

Most of the incidents involve gangs of youths who congregate in the town centre area. In one of the latest incidents, youths broke into the church boiler house and turned up the thermostat setting to maximum and set off fire extinguishers. Copies of the petition were placed for signing around the town at health centres, dentists and doctors surgeries.

Rev Cooper said: "It has been relatively quiet lately. There has been an increase in police surveillance which has had a great effect and it just goes to prove what we are on about."

Insp Peter Holden, of Horwich and Blackrod police, said he was aware of the complaints and was giving the matter some attention.

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