POLICE are to crackdown on crime in Heaton Park.

Uniformed officers will be on patrol throughout the summer as part of "Operation Corner" which aims to tackle gangs of youths who attack other children, stealing bikes and clothing.

Plain clothes police officers will also be on duty in a bid to trap the gangs.

Chief Inspector Nigel Anderson, from Collyhurst Police who cover the park, said: "Summer is a time when more people use the park. As a result there are more cars and more bikes. Criminals are aware of that and try to take advantage.

"We want people to use the park in a safe environment and we know from experience that there is a big increase in crime in the park over the summer, so it is the obvious thing to do to try and tackle it."

Heaton Park is hosting two bike stamping days. Owners can have an identification stamp put on their bikes free of charge so that if they are stolen they can be easily returned. The stamping days are August 8 between 12pm-2pm and August 14 between 1pm-3pm at the farm centre in the park.

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