COUNCILLORS are heading to Westminster in the wake of a public outcry claiming that Ramsbottom faces a policing crisis.

Councillors Dorothy Gunther, Barry Theckston, and Sheila Magnall will travel to London to meet with shadow home secretary Oliver Letwin on February 28. They are also hoping to speak with a Government representative about policing issues.

Their action is in response to complaints by local businesses and residents who claim a crimewave is sweeping the town. They also say they have no confidence in the police to deal with it and a petition to that effect is being circulated in Ramsbottom.

Coun Theckston said: "We have decided to travel to Westminster after 18 months of complaints about anti-social behaviour and other crime related issues.

"We want answers to why the local authority and the police will not implement the anti-social orders and make use of other instruments which the Government says are available to them." He added: "We want more officers in Ramsbottom where we feel policing numbers are not adequate."

Coun Theckston said that more councillors had expressed an interest in joining the delegation to London.

As reported in the Bury Times, there have been a number of armed robberies in the centre within a short distance of the police station. Last week Victoria Wine on Bridge Street, just yards away from the police station, was robbed for the third time in 30 days.

The Sue Ryder charity shop was also raided this week, but police recovered the stolen property.

Shop windows have been put through on a number of occasions by perpetrators, branded "drunken louts" by traders.

Local businesswoman, Jane Craig said: "If police are not prepared to take action then traders are considering withholding part of their business rates."

Residents have complained about gangs of youths causing intimidation and criminal damage. One businessman said he was leaving Ramsbottom after being victimised by teenage gangs.

The local resident, who did not want to be named, said: "I have lived in Ramsbottom for 30 years and I have had enough. I have gangs of teenagers threatening me. When I approached them, the police threatened to arrest me."

Speaking at the latest meeting of the Ramsbottom and Tottington area board, Coun Gunther said: "I have written to the Chief Constable of Manchester and divisional commander, Chief Superintendent Phil Hollowood, and I don't know what else to do.

"There is a real crimewave and now we are to hold a meeting with the shadow home secretary to try and get something done."

She added: "We are doing this because we are so exasperated and to try and help the police we already have."

Inspector Steve Clark, head of Ramsbottom and Tottington Township said that a number of initiatives were up and running to tackle the problems in Ramsbottom, particularly with regard to anti-social behaviour.

"There are difficulties with the legislation which stands to address violence, which we do not have in Rambottom but we do have a nuisance factor. We are building up a strategy involving the youth service and councillors," he said.

Insp Clark said that crime figures for December, compared to the same period the previous year, were down.