Police crack down on park troublemakers

Anti-social behaviour in a borough park is being tackled by police after concerns were raised by residents.

People living in Leigh had voiced fears about vandalism and other trouble-making at Pennington Park.

They said the behaviour had gone from a “rare nuisance to a constant problem.”

Now neighbourhood police in Leigh said they are running an operation to clamp down on the issue. This has included a recent dispersal order while there will be an increased polce presence in the area.

Officers have also warned that anti-social behaviour and mass gatherings “will not be tolerated” and fines will be issued for Covid-19 breaches.

GMP Leigh, Atherton and Hindley Police said on their Facebook page: “Leigh neighbourhood are running a specific operation on Pennington Hall Park, Leigh in order to tackle anti-social behaviour.

“You will see an increased police presence in the area. Antisocial behaviour and mass gatherings will not be tolerated. Fixed penalty notices will be issued for breaches of Covid regulations.”

Leigh MP James Grundy welcomed the action which he said would “restore order” to the park and said it would take time and repeated efforts to resolve fully.

He said: “Due credit to the police for taking action to restore order to Pennington Park.

“I posted recently about raising this issue with the inpector, and I’m glad to see action has now been taken, just as it was around Leigh Cenotaph.

“A number of residents had raised the issue of vandalism and antisocial behaviour with my office, as the problem had gone from a rare nuisance to a constant problem.

“Just as with the cenotaph, this may require time and repeated efforts to resolve fully.”

He added: “Please keep reporting any further incidents both to the police and to my office via [email protected] and with your support, we will ensure these issues are resolved.”

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