Call to thwart drug dealers at Wigan park

Fed-up residents have complained of “drug-dealing” outside a Wigan park and are demanding that action is taken.

Cars are parking up at the front gates of Ashfield Park, in Standish, and drugs and money are being passed over, according to reports Coun Ray Whittingham has received.

Youths and young adults have also been reported to have been regularly gathering in groups, breaking social distancing rules, drinking and using drugs and nitrous oxide.

Coun Whittingham, who represents the area on Wigan Council, has demanded that action is taken to address the “unacceptable” anti-social behaviour.

He said: “This is a constant things with drugs and drinking and the litter they leave behind. You also get children swearing and shouting which isn’t good to hear for someone sitting in their garden on a nice evening.

“You do get youths and young adults gathering quite regularly in the park in the evening. I’ve reported this to the council and police and something does need to be done about it.”

And Coun Whittingham wants to see the park gates locked in the evening to try to deal with the problem.

He said: “It’s the front gates off Wigan Road up to Ashfield House that need locks on them. Residents have told me that you get people parking up in cars and passing drugs and money over. Someone could at least be there to open the gates in the morning and close them in the evening.”

Sgt Nick Forshaw, who covers the Standish area, said last month cannabis was recovered from a group of youths in the church yard while the next day during a patrol of the park, some youths were spoken with and advised regarding the dangers of using nitrous oxide and some parents were also given advice.

He said: “These have been highlighted by residents due to anti-social behaviour such as drinking, drug use and the use of nitrous oxide mainly by youths and young adults.

“The policing team will continue to provide a high presence in these areas and any other affected areas.”

Report any issues to 101, on GMP’s website or by e-mail to [email protected].