By Lesley Richards RESIDENTS of crime-ridden Golborne have lost confidence in the policing of their "yob rule" village.

They are disturbed by the ever growing scale of crime and disorder, the increasing vandalism - and villains getting away scot free.

In making a strong plea for help, fed up victims let police chiefs know their feelings at this week's meeting of the Police Community Consultative Group.

And they shrugged off promises from Leigh's supremo, Supt Mary Vaisnys, calling for the law to be seen to be done and more bobbies on the beat.

Now the protestors have been invited to join members of the new Golborne Community Forum, formed to combat lawlessness, at a public meeting at Golborne Catholic Club on Monday, June 26, at 7.30pm.

In an emotive plea for help the anxious residents, through elected speaker, Trixie Roberts, representing the forum, said they had lost all confidence in the policing of the area.

She said: "It is almost as big a problem as the crime itself. There is a deep lack of confidence in the way Golborne is policed."

She said there was a wide gulf between the police and residents in their perceptions of an acceptable level of tolerance of crime.

Written reports and testimonials were presented by people who had repeatedly suffered both physical and mental abuse because of anti-social behaviour.

They claimed they had had enough of platitudes and demanded some positive action from all the agencies concerned - especially the police.

Trixie said: "The public are at saturation point by what appears to be lawlessness and too many ready excuses made for the perpetrators of crime and vandalism."

Only last week the village's Community Forum reported numerous instances of major and minor crime from assaults, problem neighbours, drug and drink abuse, burglary and gang intimidation.

Each victim maintained that all had gone without police action.

Now they have demanded a face to face meeting with police and council officers to discuss pressing issues.

These include greater commitment and involvement of the council and its officers in the welfare and domestic, commercial economy, action on traffic problems and more transparent and accountable inward investment by the council and Coalfield agencies.

Chairman of the Business Partnership, Peter Franzen, said: "The establishment of this group could bring to Golborne the leadership, sense of pride and purpose so long denied it.

He told the meeting: "Contrary to the police stated view the level of youth annoyance is not tolerable to residents. Golborne is being ruled by yobbos."

Supt Mary Vaisnys guaranteed the public would be listened to and have the chance to work with the police and other agencies in combatting this very serious and disturbing catalogue of events.

She agreed to attend other forum meetings.

The next PCCG meeting is on July 19 in the Jubilee Hall, Crabtree Lane, Atherton, at 7.30pm