Crackdown on antisocial behaviour in Rochdale town centre

A crackdown on antisocial behaviour associated with street drinking and begging is under way in Rochdale town centre.

Following a number of concerns raised about the problem, Rochdale Council and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) are working together to identify regular offenders.

Julian Massel, Head of Customers and ICT at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “During a recent crackdown on antisocial behaviour in Rochdale town centre, which saw us work with the police and local businesses, we issued 27 anti-social behaviour (ASB) warning letters, visited six licensed premises, removed two beggars from the town centre and visited a further ten business to give crime prevention advice and reassurance.

“In future we will build on this work by continuing to use the powers available to us to tackle this issue. These include dispersal orders, which remove people from an area for a particular period of time, as well as criminal behaviour orders and anti-social behaviour injunctions, which place limits on people who are causing a nuisance. We will also work with drug and alcohol services to offer support to tackle some of the root causes of anti-social behaviour, on-street drinking and begging, all issues which our residents and businesses want to see dealt with.”

Chief Inspector Chris Hill from Greater Manchester Police’s Rochdale Division, said: “We have responded to concerns raised by local businesses and the public and this piece of work is part of a long-term strategy to address street drinking, begging and antisocial behaviour within Rochdale town centre.

“This multi-agency approach demonstrates our commitment to addressing the issues raised and we want to make ensure that the town centre remains a place that people want to visit and feel safe when doing so.”

Haridressing salon owner Greg Couzens, who accompanied police officers on a walkabout through the town centre, said: “We have no rough sleepers in Rochdale. All of them have home addresses, so this is about clamping down on the begging and the alcohol consumption within the town centre.”

Anyone who witnesses any incidents of anti-social behaviour linked to street drinking and begging can contact Rochdale Council on 0300 303 8878 or report it at

www.rochdale.gov.uk/reportasb

You can also contact GMP by dialling 101 or 999 for incidents requiring immediate attention.