PEOPLE living on Leigh's biggest housing estate have had enough of teenage troublemakers.

They are urging parents to control unruly youngsters who are making life a misery on Higher Folds estate.

Vandalism, under-age drinking, and general rowdiness brought a strong response from concerned residents and has resulted in a raised Police profile around trouble spots.

The situation has worsened so much that Higher Folds Community Association is calling on parents to take more interest in their children.

Secretary June Cunningham asked: "Do they know where their kids go in the evenings?

"Do they hang around the Centre shops? If so I suggest they go down and take a look at the smashed windows and walls filled with graffiti. Their children's names could be there.

"Soon the shopkeepers won't be able to afford to keep open.

"It's no use saying there's nothing else for the young people to do. At one time there was a perfectly good youth club built at a cost of around £90,000, but because of lack of use it has closed.

"The building has been vandalised and set on fire. NOw it is fit only for demolition."

The Association claims Community Centre windows are regularly broken, the children's sandpit is full of broken glass and, occasionally, drug-users syringes.

Members also say adventure playground waste bins are used for airgun practice even though young children are playing there.

And illegal motorcyclists cause disturbance at all-hours.

Mrs Cunningham stressed: "It isn't always youths from Higher Folds estate who are to blame, those from other areas use the estate as their playground.

"But unless something is done Higher Folds will end up like the notorious Manchester estates.

"Over the past few weeks the Police have kept a fairly high profile. Many tenants believe it is firmly in the hands of parents to administer parental control."

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