A CHANCE to have your say on how to cut crime is being given to neighbouring towns.

Parts of Atherton and Tyldesley were highlighted as high risk areas in a recent crime and disorder report.

Now Wigan Metro wards Atherton and Hindsford have been earmarked for a pilot scheme aimed at making those neighbourhoods safer places.

And the first step in the Atherton and Hindsford Community Safety Group project is a survey of all homes giving residents the chance to say what they think needs doing.

Scheme leaders Cllr Sue Loudon and Cllr Evelyne Smith both feel their communities are not so bad as the recent survey made out.

Cllr Loudon said: "It's not as bad as people think.

"But we are not only aiming to reduce crime, we aim to make people feel safer within their community."

And deputy Mayoress Cllr Smith added: "A lot of it is a perceived problem. It is what is felt to be happening.

"Now we want to get everybody involved in addressing any problems - it is not good enough to simply ignore things thinking the Police will deal with it. People can do a lot to help themselves."

Both say the questionnaire is far more in-depth than the one linked with the crime and disorder audit report. Completed forms should be returned by the end of March and answers will be studied at Manchester University.

A public meeting is expected to follow.

Ideas up for suggestion include better street lighting to make people more inclined to venture outdoors at night, radio links for businesses and pubs, Home Watch links, and information sessions for adolescents.

And emphasis will be placed on ensuring children receive proper guidance to give them a good start to becoming perfect citizens.

And those who fill in the questxionnaires could be in for a windfall. A £50 prize is on offer for the first name out of the hat with £20 going to junior participants.

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