RESIDENTS were reassured that police officers were doing their best to crackdown on shoplifting in Prestwich.

Inspector Lorraine Crossman for Prestwich, assured residents that officers were doing all they can to crackdown on shoplifting within the area at tonight’s meeting of the Prestwich Township Forum at the Longfield Suite.

She also added that the Prestwich team had recently gained four new PCSOs and two neighbourhood officers.

Insp Crossman said: “We probably have the most staff that we’ve had in a while and I can assure residents that your neighbourhood officers are keeping extremely busy.

“We have charged a male with 10 offences of shoplifting in shops in Prestwich and he has gone to court.

“We have been busy working to crackdown on shoplifting in the area.”

The council’s plans to close at least 10 of the borough’s libraries were also up for discussion.

As the consultation period over the closures of the borough’s libraries draws to an end, residents expressed their concern about the plans – despite Prestwich Library remaining open.

Library users can have their say on two options put forward by Bury Council regarding the changes.

The two options are to retain library buildings at Bury, including its archives, Ramsbottom, and Prestwich or the three buildings plus the addition of Radcliffe library.

However residents voiced concerns about the affects of the closures on adult learning services provided in different libraries across Bury.

One resident said: “What will happen to adult learning services in Whitefield Library and other libraries which are earmarked to close?

“There are numerous groups in each of these libraries that may not be directly involved with the library but will be affected by the closures.

“We want to know that these groups will be safe.”

Under both options, council bosses claim 98 per cent of Bury residents would still be within 30 minutes’ reach of a library.

The aim is to provide at least one main library building in the north, central and southern parts of the borough.

Public consultation will continue until April 27 with a final report going to Cabinet members on May 18.

Implementation of the results will take place from August 1.

To have your say, click here.