Police Crackdown On Anti-Social Behaviour During Easter Break

A major police operation to reduce youth and alcohol-related anti-social behaviour in Rochdale, Heywood and surrounding suburbs has been launched. Extra police will be out on patrol in ‘hot spot’ areas throughout the Easter holidays as part of a crackdown on the nuisance.

The high-profile police patrols will be out working alongside Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), neighbourhood wardens and New Deal community link workers.

Officers will be using video cameras and large flashlights to gather evidence and search for alcohol. They will be using the full range of enforcement activities, including arrests, issuing fixed penalties, alcohol confiscations, taking young people home, letters to parents and
words of advice.

The anti-social behaviour crackdown in Rochdale and Heywood is part of an intensive, on-going, three-month operation supported by Greater Manchester Police Authority (GMPA), who provided £130,000 funding forcewide to tackle the nuisance. In addition to the funding, GMPA will be conducting surveys in each area to establish the views and experiences of local people.

Angela Bradley, Partnership Inspector for the Heywood area, said: “Probably the biggest issue that affects the life of local residents is that of antisocial behaviour. Groups of young people hang around the streets, often in residential areas, seemingly unaware of how intimidating they can be to especially the older generation."

“The police are proactively trying to tackle that problem through a multi-layered approach. We are working with our partners to find young people alternative pastimes. We engage with the youths and explain about the impact of their behaviour, We are also trying to engage with parents of the young people and have them become part of the solution. And as part of our campaign, we will tackle the sale of alcohol and checking off licenses and bars to ensure adherence to their conditions.”

Inspector Bradley added, “When necessary, we will of course employ enforcement action. Our overall purpose is to make Heywood a safer, more enjoyable place to work rest and play.”

Derek Osbaldestin JP, Chair of the Police Authority said, “Juvenile nuisance is one of the most frequent issues raised by people at our regular public consultation meetings. We are therefore pleased to see this firm action being taken by GMP in collaboration with other agencies, which we are confident will help to reduce the problem.”

If you have any information about antisocial behaviour, call GMP on 0161 872 5050.  Alternatively, you can call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111