Dad and young daughter spat at by “out of control” youths

Smithy Bridge Train Station

A dad who had to protect his two-year-old daughter from youths spitting at them as they waited for a train is calling for a heavier police presence in Littleborough.

Marc Peel was mocked and laughed at when he asked a gang of teens to stop spitting at him as he pushed his daughter’s pram on the Smithy Bridge train station platform.

Anti-social behaviour, says Marc, has rocketed in the area since the closure of Littleborough Police Station, as gangs of youths take to the streets in the village and around the Smithy Bridge area.

As a result of the incident, which took place on Wednesday (10 August) the train driver had to leave his seat to speak to the youths, one of whom had run off and locked himself in a toilet cubicle.

The Littleborough dad said: “The train was delayed in the end, whilst everyone tried to deal with these guys. Not enough is being done in the local area to keep a lid on this sort of behaviour. There used to at least be PCSOs walking around, but since the police station closed down you never see anyone, and to be honest I think that’s the reason things are getting worse.”

He added: “My daughter is only two and didn’t need to see any of that. They have absolutely no respect and it’s disgusting.

“I've lived here for 14 years, loved it when I first moved here, people seemed to have pride but like everywhere the minority want to spoil it. The police station is up for auction, I might suggest GMP put a bid in for it they may get it on the cheap and then perhaps put some police officers in it and let them walk, drive and cycle around the area.

“We will see if we can get some order back in our community to prevent it going on a downward spiral.”

Anyone who notices anti-social behaviour or would like to report a crime can contact the police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.