ROWDY gang gatherings are an annoying problem which can not be solved overnight, according to police.

In response to MP Andy Burnham's concerns about the problem of unruly youths in the Leigh area, and how best they should be dealt with -- a point raised he raised last week in the House of Commons -- police stress they will always attend when needed.

Mr Burnham asked the Prime Minister if he was aware Greater Manchester Police were no longer sending patrols in response to calls from the public about youth gang trouble, as part of a three-month trial.

Insp Steve Woods, staff officer at GMP Divisional headquarters, said: "We wish to reassure the public there is no question of refusing to deploy patrols to incidents which require the presence of a police officer. The police will always attend ongoing incidents when necessary.

"However, a number of problems involving youths have on occasions finished before the caller has rung the police. In such circumstances, it is still necessary that we speak to the caller at a later date to enable us to have a view of the bigger picture.

"Our operational policing strategy emphasises a problem-solving approach with other agencies, rather than merely reacting to a problem.

"This initiative, which is a pilot scheme for three months, is based on the belief that youths causing annoyance cannot be solved overnight and often needs a longer-term solution.

"The current initiative, which began at the beginning of November, ensures the public do receive an appropriate visit from an officer and that the problem is not ignored."