OUR report on drug addicts injecting themselves in broad daylight in Bolton town centre brought a strong response from readers.

A resident of the luxury apartments at the former Trinity Church, close to the new £48million interchange, complained about increased problems from addicts who were using needles night and day and dumping them at around the property with a neighbour’s child lucky not to have been injured by a syringe she innocently picked up last week.

The resident alleged that most of the drug dealing was taking place at the back of the church and along nearby streets before the paraphernalia associated with substance use was dumped in the private grassed off area surrounding the former church.

A readers’ poll alongside the story asking whether they had witnessed people using drugs on the street and of the 911 respondents 60 per cent said that they had while 40 per cent said that they hadn’t.

The story provoked a hot debate among readers with a huge comments response on the online story.

The Trinity management firm said it had been forced to increase security at the apartments but wanted a meeting both with police and with councillors to use a joined up approach to solving the situation.

A council spokesman said: “We have been contacted by the property management agent via local councillors and we will be liaising with the police to establish how we can work together to tackle the issue. We have visited the site and removed a collection of used needles and will continue to monitor the area to ensure it is safe for the public.

“In terms of the individuals involved in the drug tacking, the council commissions Greater Manchester Mental Health Foundation Trust to deliver drug and alcohol services in the borough via a service named Achieve. The service will be offering outreach services to people currently not engaging with the Achieve Drug and Alcohol Service at various sites, including pharmacies and other community settings.”

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust said: “GMMH leads Achieve Recovery Services in Bolton and has been rated outstanding by the care quality commission during a recent inspection of its substance misuse services.

“Achieve delivers innovative and high-performing substance misuse treatment and recovery, using a proven approach to identify and support people affected by alcohol or drug misuse.

“The service has been in place since January 15, 2018, and substance misuse services in Bolton are going through an intense period of change.

“As part of the new-look service for Bolton, Achieve now works to identify and engage with people out in the community, who are not currently in services, through an assertive outreach approach led by service partner The Big Life group.

“Big Life have a long and successful history of working within communities to provide support to people who don’t always engage with traditional services.

“We encourage anyone in Bolton, who is experiencing problems with substance misuse, to get in touch with us.

“People can self-refer or see their GP for help and a referral. For more information please visit https://www.gmmh.nhs.uk/achieve or call 01204 557977.”