How police are cracking down on crime and ASB in Bury town centre

While out on patrol in the town centre, inspector Gareth Edwards and officer Mick Kerry spoke about the issues that have previously occurred in Bury and ways they try to combat crime.

Overall, they said the level of crime in the town centre is quite low and in the past year they have only had to deal with a few minor problems related to town centre drinking in Kay Gardens and youths on bikes in the evenings.

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After shop staff near Kay Gardens aired concerns about drinking in the area, police took action such as banning people from the town centre as well as supporting some with alcohol rehabilitation in conjunction with the council.

Over on Silver Street, the officers said Greater Manchester Police's Operation Lynx, which relates to the night-time economy, has tackled crime on that road.

The operation is predominantly ran on Friday and Saturday nights and occasionally on bank holidays.

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The aim is to have around eight officers stationed on Silver Street, Kay Gardens and near the Robert Peel statue so people are reminded that police are around.

Insp Edwards said: “We want people to see us in the windows, speaking to the door staff and when people see that there’s a number of cops around, there’s less likelihood of any issues happening.”

Quite a few ASB incidents have happened at the McDonald's restaurant in the town centre, the officers said.

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Police have been working with staff to try and put children off congregating in the fast food restaurant and encouraging the restaurant to have security and turn off the Wi-Fi at certain times.

The officers normally do a few laps of the town centre while on patrol.

Insp Edwards said: “We try and do it as often as we can, it’s absolutely what we want to be doing.”