SUPERMARKETS could be asked to keep alcohol out of sight of boozing yobs to help police clamp down on “out of control” youths in Leigh.

Councillors are now considering a catalogue of new measures to propose to police in crunch talks following the stabbing of a teenager in Leigh Broadway last week.

These includes alcohol advice for supermarket and independent shops, the launch of a neighbourhood watch scheme, and resident street patrols.

Carole Mulroney, Leigh Lib Dem councillor in charge of environment, launched the Enough is Enough group last week, which has gained more than 600 supporters.

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She said: “There’s an element of drugs and alcohol involved, so if supermarkets could keep the alcohol out of eyesight, that would help. Maybe all behind the counter.

“We’ve thought about a full neighbourhood watch, it takes a lot of dedication.

“We’ve had businesses and residents come forward and offer their support. Enough is enough.

“We’re meeting with inspectors on Thursday to pave a way forward. There was no trouble on Friday, because of the rain. It’s a shame we have to see rain to stop incidents happening.”

In the latest incident in Leigh on Thursday night, a teenager was left with non-life threatening after he was stabbed.

A 17-year-old from Leigh, and a 15-year-old from Westcliff, were charged in connection with the incident.

Leigh has been blighted with a series of antisocial behaviour incidents and serious Covid rule breaches over the past year.

Just days before the stabbing in Leigh Broadway, community group Litterless Leigh discovered a huge 10in knife near Leigh Old Town.

Jackie Sverdloff, 71, who found the knife on Tuesday and immediately threw it away, said: “I was so shocked to see it just lying there. It had clearly been discarded by someone.”

Speaking after some residents voiced their fears, Sarah Welton, 64, owner of Sarah’s Tea Gardens, in Leigh Old Town, added: “Customers and residents are actually fearing for their lives. Especially if there’s a fight going on.

“There’s so many of these trouble makers it’s really intimidating.

“There are hordes of these kids.

“We’re moving our CCTV out the front to cover the whole street.”