Crime in Wigan community 'worse than ever'

That is what scared people in Bryn are telling concerned councillor, Steve Jones, who said he had “never seen anything like it” in all his time living in the area.

Break-ins, shops held up by knife and gun-wielding robbers and cars being stolen, have been a daily occurrence in Bryn according to Coun Jones.

He has now organised a public meeting next week involving Greater Manchester Police (GMP) which is expected to be attended by more than 100 people.

Coun Jones said: “Over the last six months there have been daily break-ins, shops held up by robbers at gunpoint and with knives and cars stolen.

“Residents are angry but as a councillor, there’s only so much you can do.

“So I put the letter I sent to Greater Manchester Police on Facebook and I’ve had a response and the police will be in attendance at the meeting.”

Coun Jones said that crime in Bryn was “out of control.”

He said: “The criminal activity in our community is out of control.

“I am contacted daily by residents demanding action.

“Unfortunately as councillor there is very little I can do as these are police issues.

My priority is to work with police to get this under control.”

In his letter sent to GMP calling for a public meeting, Coun Jones said his main priority was to keep residents safe.

He said: “As of recently it is rare if a day goes by without a serious crime taking plac ein our community.

“I am contacted in relation to all crimes from shops being held up to cars being robbed.

“In Bryn this is something our community has not dealt with on this scale.

“As you can now expect residents are angry but unfortunately I can help very little with criminal activity on this level.

“I believe a public meeting between the councillor and GMP is what is needed to assure my residents GMP are doing everything they can to keep our community safe.”

Coun Jones said he was expecting a big turnout at the meeting.

He said: “It’s great that GMP have agreed to this meeting which is something residents really wanted.

“I’m expecting around 150 people to attend and it’s really important that people come to have their say.

“This really is needed as there has never been crimeto this extent in Bryn.

“I’ve never seen anything like it in all the time I’ve lived here.

“It’s worse than ever and residents are so terrified that they are choosing to stay at home rather than go out.

“A lot of this crime is drug-related and I don’t believe it’s professionals behind it.

“I’m really concerned for residents but also the hardworking business owners and staff who should not have to turn up to work and worry about when someone might break-in or rob them every day.”

He added: “So police action really is needed.”

People took to Coun Jones’s Facebook to react to the issue.

Paul Yates said: “No need for a meeting Steve. Round the clock police on the beat like in the old days, not once a year in a van if we’re lucky.”

Nikki Forrest added: “Best get on to the government then and tell them to dramatically increase the funding (for police).”

The public meeting takes place at Bryn Labour Club on Thursday, February 27 at 7pm.