Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd meets with Heywood residents in open public meeting

Neighbourhood Inspector for Heywood and Middleton, Stephen Hanlon

An open public meeting between Greater Manchester Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd, senior Rochdale police officers, and members of the public took place in Heywood on Thursday (15 January).

Mr Lloyd was joined by Chief Inspector Umer Khan and Neighbourhood Inspector for Heywood and Middleton, Stephen Hanlon, to discuss policing in the local area.

Around 40 members of the Heywood community were also present, including people from volunteer groups, a number of councillors, and members of the public.

Mr Lloyd said: “It’s important that local people get the chance to put their views and concerns directly to me as their Police and Crime Commissioner and to Greater Manchester Police officers.

“It was a well-attended meeting and some important issues were raised which Inspector Steve Hanlon and Chief Inspector Umer Khan agreed to look into.”

Key issues included the removal from Heywood Police Station of a front desk which is open to the public – a matter of concern for some locals.

“It was discussed at length,” Inspector Hanlon told Rochdale Online, explaining that officers now travel from the Middleton into Heywood each day, often using public transport for the journey. “I think that’s a good thing because members of the public can see officers on public transport.”

The issue of antisocial behaviour in Heywood was also raised. Inspector Hanlon, who was appointed to his position in October of last year, said: “I was explaining about how we are trying to deal with some of the antisocial behaviour in the town centre. We have got an operation that I put together (Operation Forward) which we run on an ad-hoc basis.”

He added: “We have very much got their interests at heart and it is a priority for us.

“It did seem to be very well received. Afterwards a good number of people came to me and said they felt very much reassured by what we said.”