Blackrod, a former mining village, has a population of around 5,000 and is reportedly the site of a Roman station – but it has also been named as one of Britain’s worst places to live.
The latest crime figures available show there were 156 crimes reported in Horwich and Blackrod in November compared to 143 during the same period last year.
Of those more than 30 were for anti-social behaviour.
There were six burglaries reported, 18 vehicle crimes and 17 for criminal damage and arson.
Residents said they had noticed a spike in crime in the town.
Eric Spencer-Smith, general manager of the Mercure Bolton Georgian House Hotel, said he understood there had been a ‘spate’ of robberies in the town.
He added: ‘I think there have been a number of house burglaries too. There has been a lot going on and residents have raised their concerns with local authorities.
‘Crime has gone up and I’ve never known it be this bad but it is not just Blackrod. It’s Bolton in general.
‘I know people have been encouraged not to go down the route of being a vigilante. That has been the message from the local authority and I can’t say I have seen any large groups of people.
‘Every action has a result. If you reduce policing levels you are opening the door but whenever I have put in a request with the police they have been very good. I can’t criticise them.’
Greater Manchester Police is struggling to cope with the strain of Government cuts and has lost 2,000 officers and 1,000 civilian workers since 2010.
It is also tasked with finding extra savings of around £26million for the 2017/18 budget.
In February last year, Horwich Police Station, which is the closest one to Blackrod, closed, and the GMP website advises villages they should now direct their inquiries to Bolton Police Station.
A GMP spokesman urged residents not to take matters into their own hands and said as a force they must allocate their resources appropriately.