A ‘pack’ of ‘feral teens’ have turned a once-thriving high street into a ‘no go zone’ – with residents too scared to leave their homes at night.
For months, shopkeepers in Ashton-in-Makerfield have been subjected to harassment by the group who spend every evening cruising through the town centre on mountain bikes throwing rocks at passers-by, smashing up bus stops and stealing.
On February 8, the chaos culminated into a night of pandemonium forcing shops to shut early.
Thirteen minutes of footage captured by café owner Helen Lawson heard her pleading to the group: ‘Will you leave me alone? Get out of my face!’ as the gaggle of hoodlums followed her around and mocked her.
She recorded the moment her phone was snatched from her hand and thrown to the floor, before they chucked ice and a drink at her, a young boy was even seen barking at her like a dog.
A terrified shopkeeper told the Daily Mail: ‘Sometimes they are out in packs 20 or 30 strong, the kids run this town.
‘The kids have turned Gerard Street into a no go zone at night.’
The Daily Mail visited the once proud mining town in Greater Manchester on Saturday evening, following one pack of teens around the town centre.
The Daily Mail visited the once proud mining town on Saturday evening, following one pack of teens (pictured) around the town centre
The group began their night congregated in the the entrance to a Lidl supermarket with one of the boys appearing to ride his mountain bike into the doorway
For months, shopkeepers in Ashton-in-Makerfield have been subjected to harassment
The group began their night congregated in the entrance of a Lidl supermarket, with one boy appearing to ride his mountain bike into the doorway.
They were told off by a shopkeeper, who tried to warn them that if they picked up a criminal record as teenagers it would stay with them ‘for the rest of their lives.’
Shopkeepers explained to the Daily Mail that violent behaviour like this has become standard practice.
Sweet shop owner Akash Kumar said boys will often burst into his shop to steal.
He said: ‘They managed to steal a bottle of whisky the last time they came in. One of the boys left his bank card behind by accident and then they came back and forced my worker to hand over.
‘They threatened to “bang him” and I don’t want my staff hurt. He did the right thing giving it back to them. You call the police but what can they do.’
Adding that there had also been an attempted break-in at his business after he had locked up for the night.
Rava Salah, who runs a vape shop on Gerard Street, feels like he is fighting a losing battle with the youths.
He said: ‘They want vapes but I tell them they have to be 18. That leads to an issue and they start kicking off. I am not selling vapes to boys who are underage. Sometimes they are 20 or 30 strong.
‘They steal things and let stink bombs off in the shop. The stink is terrible. I tell you it’s bad mate. I am fighting a losing battle and need more help.’
Sweet shop owner Akash Kumar (pictured) told the Mail how the boys often burst into his shop to steal
Rava Salah, (pictured) who runs a vape shop on Gerard Street told the Mail he was fighting a running battle with youths
The town has been rocked by a spate of ugly incidents over the last month or so with footage posted online showing a group of youths attacking a girl in a car park.
A glass bus stop was also vandalised and in a separate incident three boys fell from the window of a double decker bus in the town after a fight.
Since the video footage emerged online, the community have expressed disgust with many locals taking to Facebook to share their thoughts.
Karena K Ashton wrote: ‘The behaviour is inexcusable and needs addressing, but the solution is harder. We had under 18s nights, youth clubs etc. What social activities are available for teenagers to do together that doesn’t cost a packet?
‘If the answer to that is nothing, then that needs addressing too.’
Others took a harder approach labelling the teens a ‘disgrace’ to Wigan.
Stephen Blackburn wrote: ‘These idiots having nothing else better to do, also their parents with heavy fines because half of them don’t know what their kids are up to or even care.’
Residents even suggested the group should be forced to partake in national service or be spray-painted so their parents can identify them.
Meanwhile, local councillor Danny Fletcher took action.
He wrote on Facebook: ‘I’ve been in touch with the heads of four local high schools today, and every single one of them has jumped straight on this.
‘They’ve identified a number of the young people involved in the video and had them straight in the office this morning, and spoken to parents.
‘They are also covering the wider issues around respect and behaviour in an assembly. Can’t thank them enough.
‘Speaking to police inspector today, there’s been a visible presence in Ashton this afternoon, and officers will be calling in to Hels Kitchen to double check on Helen. I’ve kept in touch with her throughout the day.’
A glass bus stop on the high street had previously been smashed up
In a harrowing video, a group was seen attacking a young girl outside a nearby B&M store (pictured)
The groups appear to be organised by the yobs themselves, with many believed to be travelling from Haydock in Merseyside and Golborne near Warrington
Despite the pandemonium on the streets the former mining town is undergoing a £6.6million transformation.
The fund, granted to Wigan Council by the government will be used to restore the market, enhance shop fronts and even introduce greenery in the area.
The intention is to attract new businesses while supporting existing ones as well.
Inspector Sam Davies from Greater Manchester Police said: ‘Neighbourhood crime is a priority for all of our teams working across Wigan and Leigh.
‘Our officers are undertaking positive work around key force priorities, which has helped to build trust and confidence within the local community.
‘This is about engagement, prevention and robust enforcement.’
Wigan Council have been contacted for comment.
