BELEAGUERED traders are demanding hostels in Wash Lane are shut down before they are forced out of business.

One self-employed mechanic has only been saved from financial ruin after crime-plagued companies chipped in to replace tools stolen in a recent raid on his rented unit.

Residents of Woolfield House hostel and two further hostels at the top end of Wash Lane are being blamed for the drug-fuelled crime blitz on businesses in the area.

Mr Massoud Shafai, who owns the industrial units and land, said: "Since Woolfield became a hostel, my tenants have regularly suffered at the hands of its residents and those who live in hostels at the top end of Wash Lane. If this situation is allowed to continue then they will face financial ruin and will be forced out of business.

"The units are broken into or vandalised almost weekly. A car sales area has suffered thousands of pounds worth of damage and something must now be done now to rid this area of these lawless, drug-addicted criminals."

And Mr Tommy Reynalds, who owns Tommy's Motor Services in Ormond Street, has told how one of his cars has been stolen three times from outside his garage.

He said: "This is just one of the things we have to put up with around this area. We have had radios pinched, tax discs stolen, windows smashed, tools taken from inside the door and people coming in trying to sell us goods which, more than likely, have been stolen. It is getting worse by the day

"It is impossible to sleep at night wondering what's going to happen next so we need some help and action to get this area back to how it should be. At the moment the area is littered with syringes used by drug addicts."

The businessmen believe extra police should be drafted into the area. Police attend the hostels almost on a weekly basis. The hostels accommodate those on police or court bail as well as homeless people.

Inspector Dave McElroy, head of Bury's township police, said every effort was being made in the Wash Lane area to combat criminal activity and renewed an appeal for residents and business people to provide officers with intelligence about suspected offenders.

He said: "A number of vehicles were damaged recently in the area and as a result we arrested and charged one person who did not live in the area. We are aware of other problems, such as the drugs, which are being tackled.

"We do have sympathy for the businessmen and extra attention will be paid to the Wash Lane area. However, we would urge anyone with information about offenders to contact Bury police direct or ring Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111."

Mr Shafai concluded: "The majority of people in the hostels are already in trouble with the police and the courts yet they are housed in the hostels where they continue to re-offend. The hostels should be closed down and it is up to the authorities to do something about it."