‘Mad Friday’ police patrols

‘Mad Friday’ in Rochdale Town Centre

Increased police patrols took place on Friday night to ensure people’s safety for ‘Mad Friday’ also known as ‘Festived Friday’, one of the busiest nights of the police calendar.

Speaking to Rochdale Online before officers headed out, Superintendent Alistair Mallen of Rochdale Police said: “Festive Friday is traditionally one of the busiest nights for the police. It will be interesting to see the impact of last weekend as it’s been a double weekend before Christmas.

“It starts to ease off around 2-3am but it usually can go on until 6-7am. It’s more of a gradual demand on Festive Friday unlike New Year’s Eve.

Inspector Andy Riley of Rochdale Police said: “We’d also like to take the opportunity to remind people to have a good time and not to drink too much, but also get home safely.”

He added: “We are well prepared for ‘Festive Friday’; we’ve been planning all year.”

The force aim to have Festive Friday planned by Easter, well ahead of the event. Data from the last three years is collated to produce an estimate for peak demand, hour by hour.

Officers were briefed before parade and were also made aware of two wanted men, a potentially dangerous man, a missing woman and a car potentially containing dangerous weapons.

Officers were on patrol across the borough, stationed in Rochdale Town Centre, Castleton, Milnrow, Littleborough, Heywood and Middleton. Cars, carriers and a Technical Aid Unit were all in circulation as the night went on.

Speaking at 1am, Inspector Riley said: “Due to the nature of police operations, up to now, it’s not been as demanding as expected.

"Up to 1am, there were 25 outstanding incidents, including at least three emergency, grade one situations, spanning those of a domestic nature, concerns for welfare, issues regarding mental health, arguments and damage to motor vehicles."