Fury as louts target Wigan community hub

Yobs destroyed planters outside Standish Community Centre, in Moody Street, in what has been described as a “mindless” attack.

They also littered nearby Church Street with broken glasses and bottles while there have also been complaints about bins being full of takeaway litter. The problems have sparked calls for CCTV to be installed in the area to catch the perpetrators.

Coun Ray Whittingham, who represents the area on Wigan Council, said: “The vandalism at the community centre is mindless. For some reason, Church Street seems to get more than its fair share.

“Broken glasses, bottles and bin fulls of takeaway litter. I’m sure the residents could add more issues.”

Standish councillor Debbie Parkinson described the behaviour as “totally unacceptable". She said: The community centre does lie near to a number of pubs. So maybe you get young people coming out of them who are drunk.

“Some of them have nowhere to go as a lot of places are still closed. But there is no excuse for this behaviour and it is totally unacceptable to treat a community like that.

She said the planters had been installed by volunteers from Standish in Bloom, adding: “I and the two other councillors and the community have done some fantastic work during this pandemic. There has been a lot of volunteering and examples of great community spirit with people sending food parcels to the elderly amongst other things, so it’s a real shame that you get individuals such as this.”

It comes amid concerns about anti-social behaviour outside Ashfield Park in Standish. Fed-up residents have complained of “drug-dealing” outside the park.

They said cars are parking up at the front gates of the park, and drugs and money are being passed over.