'Feral youths' still a problem in by-election battleground

When a business owner's video of anti-social behaviour outside her café spread widely on social media, she did not imagine that two months later her town would be one of the country's most important political battle grounds and that troublesome teenagers would be a key issue.

Helen Lawson filmed what she described as "about 40 to 60 youths causing havoc, on electric bikes, up and down the main street" near to her cafe in Gerard Street, Ashton-in-Makerfield.

"They were frightening elderly people, graffiti-ing, throwing stones at cars, smashing bus stops, abusing people verbally," she said.

But what is life like now, two months later, for the Hel's Kitchen owner?

"It's got a little bit better, but there's still incidents where kids are taking it upon themselves to batter other young kids in different groups.

"I've had a couple of apologies from parents. Some even brought their children in to apologise, which was good," she said.

Following the incident, Greater Manchester Police (GMP) issued a Section 34 dispersal order and officers said "there have been no further reports of issues following increased high visibility patrols".

"The police presence was community for a week and a half after," Lawson said.

"The police presence needs to be maintained, not every blue moon."

Susan Standish, 78, said: "I think we need more community police walking around, checking everything is alright. Be more of a presence in the area."

Standish, who lives on the Woodedge Estate, a 14-minute walk away from the town centre, added: "I don't come into Ashton of a night anyway. I think it's awful that people have to put up with it."

Standish added: "We've had this going on and people being intimidated all the time. Yobs going around causing trouble."

"What are the parents doing? I don't know what the solution is."

GMP said "school visits by engagement officers are underway" to the three high schools in Ashton-in-Makerfield.

Andy Pritchard, 60, from Orrell, said there was little for young people to do.

"I don't think social media helps. One person will say let's go into Ashton tonight and then you'll get tens of people turning up, and they're bound to cause bother."

There are three youth centres in Wigan, including the multi-million-pound Wigan Youth Zone.

But there is no purpose-built youth centre in the Makerfield constituency.

Pritchard said he would like all by-election candidates to have a policy to deal with youth antisocial behaviour.

But, he added, "they won't though because like most politicians they'll say it and they won't do it".

"We just want someone in charge who does exactly what they're supposed to do," he said.

Sue Picton, who works at Go Ben's Travel Agency, said the by-election publicity appeared to have helped to curb some of the trouble.

"Since all this by-election stuff has been going on, Ashton seems to have gone very quiet with the kids and teenagers. They've been replaced with reporters," she said.

"Maybe it's the exams. Maybe they're scared they're going to be caught on camera.

"I was born in Liverpool but I was brought up in Ashton. It used to be a great little market town and I'd love to see it like that again."

A GMP spokesperson said: "Officers have visited local businesses and schools, working closely with council colleagues, headteachers and community representatives to identify young people involved and ensure appropriate follow‑up action.

"We are working closely with partners including the local authority, youth services and community organisations to intervene early and divert young people away from offending."

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