Ashton-in-Makerfield, a quaint market town on the outskirts of Greater Manchester, is not dissimilar from any other in the once-thriving mining hub.
With a population of around 26,000, it is home to a wealth of schools, football clubs and flourishing businesses ranging from cosy pubs to local manufacturers.
But in recent months, the town has been thrown into turmoil as it continues to be blighted by gangs of ‘feral’ youths terrorising residents and turning the high street into a ‘no go zone’.
Youngsters have been caught throwing rocks at passers-by, attempting to steal their phones, setting fires and assaulting other young people in all hours of the day.
Shopkeepers have also been forced to close early following raids on their stores by gangs of 20 to 30 teens, with some threatening staff and letting off stink bombs.
Footage even shows one brazen yob dangerously driving his dirtbike up and down a main road through busy traffic, while CCTV caught a group of vandals recklessly driving a car through a local football pitch in the middle of the night.
And now, in the latest violent disturbance for locals, there have been reports of balaclava clad thugs threatening utility workers with knives.
Contractors for United Utilities were confronted by the gang while conducting works around Ashton Heath last Tuesday, prompting police to investigate.
There were no reports of any injuries, although the workers refused to continue works as they ‘didn’t feel safe’ and the site has since been shut down until the issue is ‘sorted out’.
The Daily Mail previously visited the once proud mining town, following one pack of teens (pictured) around the town centre
The groups of youngsters have been causing mayhem in the town centre, stealing from and physically assaulting shopkeepers. Pictured: Kids riding into the Lidl store on Princess Road
The groups of up to 20 or 30 youths have been caught throwing rocks at passers-by, attempting to steal their phones, setting fires and violently assaulting other young people
Posting on social media last Friday, local councillor Danny Fletcher informed residents about the latest bout of violence.
He wrote: ‘Quick update to clear up what’s been going around on social media about Ashton Heath.
‘Speaking with council officers today, United Utilities staff were threatened with knives by people wearing balaclavas, which meant they had to abandon the job.
‘But for now a team will be out today to shut the site down until we sort this out.’
Frustrated locals were quick to voice their anger about the violence epidemic gripping the once-quiet market town.
Ann Shea said: ‘What on earth is going on in Ashton now, first kids running riot in the town centre and now masked men threatening workers.
‘It definitely needs a police presence immediately.’
Wez Monks added: ‘Police don’t do much around this town for stuff like this, all they do is give crime references out. They’re a joke more than they help.’
United Utilities said it was aware of the incident and stated the workers were contractors rather than internal staff.
Greater Manchester Police said the incident was investigated and closed due to a lack of any evidential lines of enquiry.
CCTV also appears to show bikes being ridden overnight (pictured) which ruined a local football pitch
A group recklessly drove a car through a local football pitch in the middle of the night, leaving a trail of tyre marks
The local football pitch in Ashton was left unusable after the act of vandalism earlier this week, with pictures showing the aftermath
In more disruption for the town, locals have also reported seeing lads in balaclavas driving through residential streets on bikes with no licence plates.
Lucy Brown said: ‘I was driving home from Golborne yesterday with my husband and we saw two guys driving a motorbike wearing balaclavas.
‘I remember pointing it out to my husband and he spotted the bike had no licence plate on it.’
‘They do this all over now, it’s at least twice a week I see it,’ added Ellen Catherine.
Footage emerged online showing one biker driving through a red light along a busy junction in the city centre before mounting the pavement next to terrified pedestrians.
He can then be seen returning to the busy road, driving in the opposite way to oncoming traffic and turning around to perform a wheelie.
Locals recalled several other similar incidents, saying bikers are now using the roads like ‘their own private race track’.
Darren Hollingsworth claimed to have seen people riding bikes and pulling wheelies as early as 6.30am in other parts of the town.
‘About time we had constant police presence on bikes in Ashton not just when something happens,’ he added.
A separate incident earlier this month also saw an unknown group vandalise a local football pitch after driving a car across the grass in the middle of the night, leaving behind a chaotic trail on tiremarks.
CCTV footage from the football club shows a car driving along the pitch with its headlights on at 11:23pm before making a swift exit.
Ashton Park Football Club, which uses the ground, said it was left ‘absolutely devastated’ as the teams had been unable to play on the pitch ‘due to the non stop rain and the poor drainage on the pitch’.
A glass bus stop on the high street had previously been smashed up
Rava Salah, (pictured) who runs a vape shop on Gerard Street told the Mail he was fighting a running battle with youths
Sweet shop owner Akash Kumar (pictured) told the Mail how the boys often burst into his shop to steal
‘The first opportunity we had to use it was today and the players and families were all excited to finally get a game on….first one this year for many,’ the club wrote online.
‘One of the teams we have on this pitch are currently going through the stresses of their final year at school so to be able to play football with their mates means a lot to their health and mental well being.
‘We even had coaches going down last night to trample some tracks down so the game could go on, but can you imagine the huge disappointment when it was found that a car had got on the pitch and done this.’
The club vowed the pitch would be restored, but appealed to any landowners or farmers who could help find them a ‘new home’ in the meantime.
Furious locals claimed people using the pitch had not closed the gate, which allowed the vandals to drive their car into it.
One fumed that the problem was caused by a ‘lack of policing’ and took aim at the council for failing to protect facilities.
Ashton has also been rocked by a spate of ugly incidents from younger groups of youths over the last month or so.
Footage captured by café owner Helen Lawson was shared to social media showing her being harassed by a gaggle of hoodlums, while in another harrowing video, a group was seen attacking a young girl outside a nearby B&M store.
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.
Shopkeepers previously 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.’
Vast mobs of teenagers have been plaguing the once-peaceful streets of Ashton-in-Makerfield, Greater Manchester, for months
Footage captured by café owner Helen Lawson was shared to social media showing her being harassed by a gaggle of hoodlums
In another harrowing video, a group was seen attacking a young girl outside a nearby B&M store
Since footage of such violent incidents began emerging online, the community have expressed disgust with many locals taking to social media 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.
One local woman, who has lived in the area all her life, added: ‘They’re always coming in the shop, throwing things, shouting, on bikes.
‘It’s treated like a youth hostel. It’s been going on for a good few months now, especially in the evenings when they are out of school.
‘Parents are terrified of letting their kids out, I have two nieces and I know their parents are worried about growing up around all this. Something needs to be done.
‘People are saying it’s because there’s nothing for kids to do, but it was the same when I was younger and we didn’t behave like this. Nothing excuses it. It’s disgusting.’
Sian Jones, who runs a dance school in the area, said the issue of teen violence has been going on for years.
She told the Manchester Evening News that a group of teenagers once set fire to cardboard outside her venue, before chucking glass bottles at children who evacuated.
She said: ‘The worst incident was last year when some kids set fire to cardboard up against the roller shutter of storage unit just outside the entrance. The smoke was coming under the internal door to that unit and filled the corridor outside my internal entrance door.
‘Obviously, I evacuated the children and rang 999. Whilst outside the kids were then throwing glass bottles from the car park at our children outside.’
Greater Manchester Police is was aware of the recent incidents of anti-social behaviour in the area, adding it understands ‘the impact this has on local people and businesses’.
The force imposed dispersal order was also issued in Ashton and stated there have been no further reports of issues following increased high‑visibility patrols.
Chief Inspector Adam Wignall from our Wigan District said: ‘Officers have visited local businesses and schools, working closely with council colleagues, headteachers and community representatives to identify young people involved and ensure appropriate follow‑up action.
‘We are working closely with partners including the local authority, youth services and community organisations to intervene early and divert young people away from offending.
‘School visits by engagement officers are underway, alongside additional outreach support aimed at steering young people towards positive activities.
‘We will not tolerate anti-social behaviour in any of our town centres. Anyone who chooses to engage in it can expect a robust and swift response from us.’
