First Published on the Bolton News
More police officers will be deployed in Bolton over the summer as part of a “much needed crackdown.
This comes after the more than 500 towns across the country signed up to the “Safer Streets” scheme launched by Home Secretary Yvette Cooper.
Bolton South and Walkden MP Yasmin Qureshi says this will mean more officers on the streets of Deane, Great Lever, Little Hulton, Farnworth and elsewhere over the summer.
Ms Qureshi said: “The Conservatives let neighbourhood policing fall apart just as crimes like shoplifting and street theft were on the rise.
“Their failure on law and order left communities like ours in Bolton South and Walkden vulnerable.
“That is why I strongly welcome this bold and much-needed crackdown.
“It will make a real difference to the safety and wellbeing of my constituents.
“Everyone deserves to feel safe in their local area, and this plan will help restore to pride and confidence in our town centres and high streets.
“As part of this government’s Plan for Change, 13,000 new neighbourhood police officers and PCSOs will be back on our streets by the end of this Parliament.
“This is exactly the kind of action our community needs, and I am proud to support it.”
Shoplifting and street thefts have long been causes of concern across Bolton.
Shop workers in the town centre at the start of the year told The Bolton News that the problem had become “constant” in some cases.
Further back in May 2023 businesspeople in Farnworth spoke out during a visit from Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.
Speaking at the time Mr Burnham said that several people around the Market Street and Farnworth precinct areas had raised shoplifting and general crime as concerns.
Now the £200M investment around the country will mean that Greater Manchester Police is in line for another 176 police officers or community support officers this year.
Ms Qureshi says that shoppers and businesspeople in her area are likely to see increased police patrols over the summer as a result.
The increased police patrols will go side by side with stronger prevention and enforcement action by councils, and other agencies.