POLICE have been visiting the homes of young people who have been flouting lockdown rules in Bolton.

There have been numerous reports of youths congregating and acting in an anti-social manner across the borough in recent days.

Pictures taken over the weekend showed large groups of teenagers drinking and inhaling laughing gas at Lower Rivington Reservoir; anti-social behaviour of up to 50 young people in Bromley Cross; and litter, including empty nitrous oxide canisters, left strewn across Moses Gate Country Park.

Now police have moved to reassure residents that they are taking action against the minority of young people responsible ­— and patrolling hotspots.

Officers are also urging adults to behave responsibly after household rubbish was dumped outdoors.

GMP Bolton North said: "Patrol officers from Bolton North Neighbourhood have been responding to recent reports of anti-social behaviour within our local community.

"We have been patrolling our hot spot areas following reports of youths gathering, drinking and playing loud music.

"Many of the children we come across are polite and maintaining social distancing regulations.

"However there are clearly a number of youths who don’t abide by the law or social distancing guidelines.

"We have already attended at a number of these youths' homes in order to warn them about the consequences of their actions and breaching COVID-19 legislation.

"We will continue to patrol Bromley Cross Eagley Sports Complex, Harwood, Crompton, Astley Bridge, Bradshaw, Breightmet and Little Lever."

Police are also continuing to tackle the off-road bikes and thanked residents for reporting sightings and problems they have had.

Officers said they had come across a number of locations where household rubbish has been dumped and warned those caught flytipping face prosecution.

"We are actively looking to seize off road bikes involved in anti-social behaviour. Many of the seizures will then be followed by court appearances for driving and insurance offences," said officers, who urged residents to continue to report issues at https://crowd.in/dsAhGx or at Livechat at https://crowd.in/Ypb1ZF