STALLHOLDERS in Leigh Market are fuming over what they see as the "couldn't care less attitude' of market bosses who are leaving them open to attack and theft - despite paying a massive £800,000 a year in rents.

But Wigan Council say they are aware of security concerns of stallholders.

And they add: "This is now under review by the council's market management team."

In one recent market hall incident alleged drug addicts fought a pitched battle with one stallholder who had confronted them.

Now they say 'enough is enough' and are at the end of their tether after claims that a gang of teenagers apprehended after causing trouble and stealing from stalls were allowed to go because it was gone the 5pm closing time.

Tony Smith who works on a confectionery stall said bluntly: "Security is non-existent on this market and stallholders are frightened for their safety. We get gangs of thieves in here and there have been threats of violence to many of my colleagues. It's time something was done about it."

And Les Handley who runs a shoe stall added: "This place is a joke so far as management taking security seriously. They don't seem to care. The number of people who have been thrown out of here is unbelievable. We get them in here making threats against us and theft is so common we might as well give stuff away

"In fact the gang who were apprehended here last week then let go again before the police arrived returned later and started asking where they could buy a craft knife! It's a ridiculous situation."

And as The Journal spoke to stallholders about their problems a sneak thief made off with a sweat shirt on a stall only a few yards away, with its 60 years old lady stallholder in hot pursuit.

One man who has seen more than his fair share of security problems is Rick Whalley, whose wife and daughter run a market stall with him. He has had physical confrontations with thugs, the latest incident only about a month ago.

He said: "To say we are sick and tired of the way this place is mis-managed is an understatement. The gang that Les Handley mentioned should never have been allowed to go - but it was past five-o-clock!

"I have security shutters on my stall, plus an alarm and security cameras. And this is inside a so-called secure building! It is absolutely ridiculous and disgusting. The situation has got to change before someone is killed, and that is no exaggeration.

"The management needs a shake-up and quickly, and the council should realise that they are receiving a lot of money from stallholders in Leigh market and we are getting nothing but incompetence for our money."

Mr. Whalley's words were backed up by Jill Well whose sister Jane runs a baby accessories stall.

She said succinctly: "In here it's definitely a case of chase them yourself - catch them yourself."

Official spokesman for Leigh Market Traders, John Doherty, summed up. He said: "It is an absolute disgrace. We have received oral promises that we would have extra security but nothing came of it. Now we have been told that if we want security guards we will have to pay for them ourselves in addition to the £800,000 the council already receive off market traders in Leigh.

"That would cost us an extra £10,000 to £15,000 a year, and we want to know what the council are doing with all the money we already pay them. We are entitled to security and will continue to demand it. I don't see why we should have to do the job ourselves."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.