Drugs 'fuelling' rise in crime in Wigan community

Aspull New Springs Whelley councillor, John Hilton, said there had been a number of break-ins recently, fuelled by mainly young people getting involved with drugs.

The problem, he said, has left elderly residents “frightened to go to bed at night” through fear of what might happen.

Coun Hilton, who has had many residents come forward to him with concerns, said: “I know of three houses very close to me that have been broken into.

“They’ve got in through a back door and window and get the keys.

“It’s happening all over the place and it’s mainly young boys and girls who are behind this.

“A lot of it is down to drugs and I know of one break-in where they took someone’s hoover and they take money any other bits they can sell.

“There have been incidents where elderly people who have been stone deaf have been broken into.

“There are elderly residents frightened to go to bed at night through fear of what might happen.”

Coun Hilton said the area had gone from having very little crime to experiencing a lot.

He said more police were out and about to try and deal with the issues.

He said: “The area used to be very low priority for policing as you wouldn’t get a lot of crime but that has changed over the last 18 months and there are more police about.

“One of the problems also is there is no deterrent and all people get is a smack on the hand and told not to do it again. They need to be a lot tougher with sentencing and punishments.”

Coun Hilton went onto warn people about the importance of having doors and windows locked or an effective alarm and CCTV system, as well as making sure cars are secure and not leaving belongings on show.

He added: “I literally know of one incident where someone tried a car door that had been left open, so people need to be careful.”