Police to increase presence in Falinge

Date published: 10/04/2008

Rochdale police have pledged to increase their activities in the Falinge area following a racially motivated attack on a teenage boy in Falinge Park yesterday afternoon, Wednesday 9 April.

Officers will work with park staff to carry out high-visibility patrols and gather intelligence, and a mobile police station will be located in hotspot areas.

Superintendent Bryan Lawton said: "To help prevent further incidents and to reassure communities, police will focus resources on the Falinge Park area during the afternoon and early evening.”

Police will also confiscate alcohol from youths and issue fixed penalty notices to discourage underage drinking in and around the park and town centre.

Yesterday a fifteen year old Asian boy was attacked by two white youths on his way home from school. He was knocked unconscious after being kicked and punched in the head and taken to Rochdale Infirmary with a broken arm and severe bruising to his face.