ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour in Atherton has been drastically cut after legal action was taken against a group of youths and adults who brought trouble to the streets.

Wigan Council, Wigan and Leigh Homes and Greater Manchester Police collaborated to bring injunctions against the perpetrators and bring peace of mind to residents.

Police data shows that since the injunctions were taken out anti-social behaviour has reduced by 35 per cent in the area of Atherton where the nuisance group was at large.

The group’s behaviour peaked in December and included congregating in large numbers in the early hours shouting, swearing, damaging bus stops and creating barriers in the roads, causing hazards to road users.

Residents complained of not being able to sleep due to the noise and disturbances.

Court proceedings were brought by the council in partnership with Wigan and Leigh Homes, GMP, residents and business owners.

The court hit four of the group, one adult and three youths, with injunctions which banned them from congregating together in Atherton and causing anti-social behaviour.

Since then two of them have been arrested for breaching their injunctions.

An 18-year-old was sentenced to a six-week suspended prison sentence by Wigan County Court after pleading guilty to the breach.

A 17-year-old boy involved in the same incident also pleaded guilty and has been given a curfew.

The council says that intervention, such as warnings, acceptable behaviour contracts and working with parents and other services, also helped prevent a number of other young people from committing further anti-social behaviour.

Cllr Kevin Anderson, the council’s cabinet for environment, said: “We will take tough enforcement action against people who persistently destroy the quality of life for our residents.

“Through working well with our partners we have successfully brought this group in front of the courts and now they face committing a serious criminal offence if they choose to breach the injunctions imposed.”

Inspector Liz Sanderson, from GMP, said: “This anti-social behaviour has seriously affected the quality of life for many of the residents of Atherton.

“We will continue to work together to deal swiftly and robustly with issues which affect our communities and tackle anti-social behaviour.”

Janice Barton, chief executive of Wigan and Leigh Homes, said: “We are pleased for our residents that the action taken here has been successful.

“If any of our residents are experiencing difficulties with anti-social behaviour we would urge them to contact us via our website, walh.co.uk, or call 01942 489005.”