CONCERNS are growing over the risks to under 12-year-olds and the anti-social behaviour of unsupervised children.

The problem in Tyldesley and Atherton has prompted community crime fighters to set up a special team to tackle problems with the help of local residents.

Atherton and Hindsford Risk Management Group -- a partnership of local agencies, councillors and residents -- has launched a small group, led by local man Clive Robinson, to assess the problem.

The team aims to liaise with parents, teachers and residents and come up with ideas for dealing with long-standing concerns for the safety of unsupervised children and the growing social menace of unruly youngsters, aged 12 and under, who are too young to come under the eye of the youth service.

A dossier of problems in recent months reveals incidents of stone throwing on railway lines, buses being stoned, abuse directed at old people, graffiti and vandalism.

Campaigners recognise problems are frequently caused by lack of parental supervision, which puts the youngsters at risk as much as the community. And they are concerned that in many cases the authorities have limited powers to act because of the children's ages.

Now they want to enlist the support of the public in coming up with cost-effective solutions to some of the problems. Better parenting skills and improved support for parents are also on the agenda.

Co-ordinator Mr Robinson, who runs the Signpost Advisory Service in Tyldesley, said: "We all recognise there's a problem in the Tyldesley, Hindsford and Atherton areas area, as there is elsewhere, with unsupervised children.

The Team, with the support of Wigan Council's Community Safety Team, hopes to find solutions based on ideas and input from local people."

Atherton and Tyldesley people who have ideas, experiences to relate or suggestions for action are asked to contact Mr Robinson at Signpost on 01942 799339 or John Black, Wigan Council's Community Risk Management officer on 01942 827878.