Man on way home from night out attacked and robbed by gang of youths

The 23-year-old victim was returning on foot to his home after a night out in the town centre just after midnight when his ordeal began.

He was confronted by a group described as “youths” who approached him on the pavement.

He was then pushed over and while sprawling on the ground the gang, who were between six and eight strong, rifled through his coat pockets.

He dialled 999 and was eventually treated by the emergency services at the scene for cuts and grazes but declined the opportunity to go to Wigan Infirmary for hospital treatment.

And now a worried friend, who asked for anonymity, has complained to the Wigan Evening Post that the crime scene, in Frog Lane near to its junction with Gidlow Lane, is becoming known as a “no-go area.”

His fears are prompted by a combination of an alleged absence of police patrols, “dullish” street lighting and a surfeit of hiding places for would-be criminals.

There was, he insisted, another mugging in the same area early last month.

It was also the scene of the manslaughter of 56-year-old Francis Farrell for which Scholes man David Horner received a three-year custodial sentence.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police was not aware of whether the on going investigation was now linking the robbery with any previous incident in Frog Lane.

There was no descriptions available at this stage of the youths save for the fact that they were wearing “dark clothes”.

Police have declined to reveal the make of the mobile - or the amount of cash that the victim’s wallet contained.

The spokesman said: “I have no information suggesting that this robbery is connected with any other incidents near this location but inquiries are on-going.”

The worried resident who spoke out to the Post said: “Frog Lane is becoming a no-go area.

“Something needs doing because at this rate people will be too scared to walk down their after dark.

“From what I hear this gang was made up of 17 to 19-year-old lads.”