The estate where residents say they are trapped in a ‘nightmare of lawless anarchy’

Masked off-road bikers and drug dealing gangs are terrorising a neighbourhood in Leigh - where residents say they are trapped in a ‘nightmare of lawless anarchy’. One biker has churned up the football pitch on Dootsons Park and police say they have seized 42 off-road machines with an estimated value of more than £200,000.

Community crime watcher Gill Edwards, 66, who runs a Facebook page for concerned residents around Timperley Lane and Alderley Lane says locals have been under siege from the gangs of bikers. “They wear masks and have XL bully dogs and American pitbulls,” said Gill, who worked at local animal cats and dogs rehoming centre until she retired.

“I have seen them openly drug dealing along the tow path of the [nearby] Leeds Liverpool Canal and on the streets. It’s appalling.

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“I can’t take my own dog out because it’s not safe. We are trapped in a nightmare of lawless anarchy.” Other residents who did not wish to be named for fear of being targeted also voiced their concern.

“It’s an awful situation,” one young mother said. “You report these things to the police but little happens. It’s extremely frustrating.”

Another said: “Something needs to be done about this. We all know who these people are so the authorities need to get a grip and do something about it.”

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Police said: “We completely recognise the problems that anti-social behaviour and off-road bikes can cause, which is why we began a targeted operation in June. Since then, officers across Wigan and Leigh have seized 42 off-road and quad-bikes, with an estimated valuation of more than £200,000. This has included 13 arrests and summons, followed by further charges, punishments, and orders.

“In particular, we recently seized a bike we know was causing issues around the Timperley Lane area, and have regularly proactively patrolled around that area of Leigh. We are constantly looking to provide the best service possible, and where this isn’t met, we will strive to understand where we can improve and take the appropriate action.”

Meanwhile, an image of one of the seized off-road bikes has appeared on the Wigan and Leigh Police Facebook page along with the post: "Officer from the Leigh East Neighbourhood Team, have been out today targeting ASB, from the use of off-road bikes.

"We received regular reports regarding these bikes being used inappropriately and inconsiderately. Rest assured that your local neighbourhood teams take your concerns seriously and will endeavour to tackle this kind of behaviour.

"The bike pictured has been reportedly causing issues in the Leigh South area, namely Alderley Lane and Butts Street. Today the rider was stopped riding down Rossall Crescent, his vehicle seized and he was reported for summons for several driving offences."

It is not the first time residents of the area have complained about their fear of violent and menacing drug gangs. In the summer of 2023, residents claimed dealers and couriers had such a grip in the area some parts were considered no-go zones.

The called for police to do a lot more to crackdown on lawlessness in the Butts Bridge area of the town. Those who confronted the gangs have faced abuse and threats, had vehicles driven at them and a window smashed.

Then, police said they were stepping up patrols to tackle anti-social behaviour and deploying plain clothes officers in a further bid to root it out.