Night-time safety project launches in Rochdale town centre

Chief Superintendent Chris Sykes, Chris Graham (Yates’s), Jean Briggs (Street Pastors), Chief Inspector Niall Hayden-Pawson, Tony Lloyd (Police & Crime Commissioner), Donna Fisher (KoKo), Coun Kathleen Nickson, Caroline Page (Renaissance Manager), Tracy Ginnever (Rochdale Borough Council Drug & Alcohol Action Team Manager), Ben Boothman (Flying Horse), Jon Hudson (Flying Horse), Angela Anderton (Rochdale Partnership Enforcement Team), Coun Shaun O’Neill & Mark Foxley (Town Centre Management)

A new project which aims to keep local club-goers safe and raise awareness of the dangers of alcohol and drugs has been launched this month.

The Rochdale Night-time Intervention Project will see a team of officers patrolling the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights between 11pm and 6am; to help diffuse potential problems and prevent them escalating into serious crime.

Officers will provide vulnerable adults with safety advice; aiming to steer them away from alcohol or drug-fuelled trouble and get them home safely. Drug and alcohol support services information will also be given out during the operation.

In 2015 Greater Manchester Police (GMP) recorded 167 alcohol-related crimes in Rochdale town centre ranging from assault to criminal damage. More than a third of these happened during the weekend, an average of one incident per week.

The multi-agency operation, developed by GMP, Rochdale Borough Council, Street Pastors and local businesses, is designed to prevent alcohol and drug-related problems arising in the town centre by providing early intervention advice rather than using enforcing as a deterrent.

It is hoped that the scheme will improve perceptions of the town centre and make it a safer place for local people to visit at night.

Training on the drug and alcohol support services available, has been provided by Rochdale Borough Council’s drug and alcohol team and officers will attend briefing sessions before each operation to learn the best ways to interact with revellers.

Councillor Kathleen Nickson, Assistant to the Leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “We want everyone to have good time when they go out but unfortunately alcohol can put some people’s safety at risk and this is something we take very seriously. We hope that by providing drug and alcohol information to our residents and helping them make safer choices on a night out we can stop any problems before they start.”

Greater Manchester Mayor and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd said: “This is a brilliant initiative that that brings police, Rochdale Borough Council, drug and alcohol teams, street pastors together with local businesses and the community to make Rochdale town centre a great
place to enjoy a night out. Vitally, it’s also about looking out for the most vulnerable, offering them a supportive hand whether that’s making sure they get home safely, taking them to a place of safety or helping address drug and alcohol problems.”

Chief Superintendent Chris Sykes said: “This is a fantastic initiative which shows what can be achieved when working closely with partner agencies and community groups. By working together we are able to offer support to vulnerable people and tackle issues surrounding alcohol and drugs while also improving safety in Rochdale town centre and making it an enjoyable place to socialise.”

Mark Foxley from Rochdale Town Centre Management Company said “The venues in Rochdale town centre are run by responsible operators who’ve achieved Best Bar None accreditation. If persons have over indulged, lost their friends, or been refused entry, this partnership initiative will help towards a safer environment, and increase awareness for knowing their limits and being more aware of their surroundings when enjoying a good night out.”

The Night-time Intervention project will be trialled for six weekends until the end of April.