TWO centres which provide help for some of the most underprivileged in Bolton have been forced to close after a spate of anti-social behaviour.

Two of Breightmet’s UCAN centres - which stands for Urban Care and Neighbourhood - have been shuttered in the wake of incidents.

Bolton at Home, which runs the centres, said in a Facebook post that offices in New Lane and Kentmere Road would be closed ‘until further notice’.

Bolton has ten UCAN centres across the borough, providing help on managing money, getting into work and housing advice, among other services.

Noel Sharpe, Deputy Chief Executive of Bolton at Home, said: “We have temporarily closed our Breightmet and Withins UCAN centres due to an incident of antisocial behaviour. We are aiming to reopen both centres as soon as possible and we will keep people updated with information on external signage and our Facebook page.

“In the meantime, tenants can still access services at any one of our UCAN centres. The closest is our Tonge Moor UCAN centre. We apologise for any inconvenience caused by these temporary closures.”

The police are now involved in the situation and are understood to be working to resolve it.

The closure will still be felt by residents who rely on the advice, but Breightmet councillor Adele Warren said the UCAN staff ‘deserve to feel safe’, so she has no option but to support the decision to close the two centres. Cllr Warren said: “I know this will be an inconvenience to residents due to the fabulous support that Bolton at Home offers through the UCAN centres to residents.

“The staff do an amazing job and deserve to feel safe and be treated with respect so although this is an inconvenience to residents I support Bolton at Home with their decision to safeguard both staff and other residents that would be using the services that the UCANs offer.”

Bolton at Home residents can find out what options they have to access UCAN services, including details of locations, opening times and local bus services at www.boltonathome.org.uk or by phoning 01204 328000.