Housing associations get tough on anti-social behaviour in Middleton

Two teenagers who have terrorised the lives of their neighbours in Middleton have been served anti-social behaviour orders, thanks to the work of Bowlee Park Housing and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing.

Timothy Deakin and Reese Morris, aged 13 and 14 years old respectively, damaged numerous properties with graffiti and paint, harassed neighbours with intimidating behaviour and incited their friends to copy them.

The court orders exclude the teenagers from certain areas in the Langley estate and prevent them from contacting named friends outside of school, as well as other limitations. The public are requested to phone the police if either teenager is seen in breach of the restrictions, which only allow them access to their family homes.

The ASBOs were a result of joint work by Bowlee Park Housing, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing and Greater Manchester Police.

Jeff Allen, Bowlee Park Housing’s Neighbourhood Manager, said: “We are committed to keeping Langley’s community strong and we will not tolerate nuisance or criminal behaviour from anyone in the estate. I cannot urge the public strongly enough to contact the police if the teenagers are seen breaching the orders. Special thanks goes to the witnesses that provided statements and diary evidence which made these orders possible.”

The exclusion zones for both teenagers, which run until 2 September 2011, are bounded by Borrowdale, Thirlmere Drive, Ennerdale Road, Towncroft Avenue, Springfield Road, Rectory Drive and Fairfield Road and all the roads they contain – except for access to their homes by Wood Street, Fairfield Road and Gable Drive for Timothy Deakin and Mellalieu Street, Wood Street and Wood Hill Street for Reese Morris.

Lesley Dobson, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing’s ASB Officer, said: “This is the end of the nightmare for people who have been on the receiving end of the boys’ anti-social behaviour. Court action is always a last resort, but we are now satisfied that these boys and their families will be faced with the consequences of their behaviour and the community can breathe a sigh of relief.”

Bowlee Park Housing, part of The Riverside Group, made several attempts to encourage good behaviour and respect for their neighbours, but the teenagers’ behaviour failed to improve. Now the pair will face arrest, imprisonment and fines if they break the terms of their ASBO.

Bowlee Park Housing has recently been praised by the Home Office for their success in reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in Wakefield. Their youth activities and community initiatives, based on those used in Langley, has helped to reduce crime in Yorkshire and the Humber by 10%.