Police to step up patrols in town centres over festive season

The launch of Operation Elf

Police will be stepping up patrols in Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton over the festive season, due to an increase in demand with Christmas shopping and celebrations.

Officers will be joined by partner agencies such as security staff, BID rangers and street pastors to provide an increased presence in the towns’ shopping areas and night-time economy so that everyone can remain safe.

Operationally there will be high-visibility patrols to deter criminal activity and provide reassurance and there will also be plain clothes officers operating at times to detect criminal activity.

Sergeant Danny Shirazi from GMP’s Rochdale district, said: “We want people to feel safe visiting our local town centres whatever time of year they visit, and Operation Elf helps us do this by ensuring we have a higher number of officers patrolling at we know to be a busy time of year.

“I hope that our local residents feel reassured by the presence of our officers and that them and any would-be offenders understand that we will not tolerate any type of criminality in the Rochdale district.

“As people flock to centre, I would ask them to help us keep them safe, by following simple steps such as keeping valuables out of easy reach, staying vigilant when using cash machines and not leaving your newly purchased items on show in your car.

“On behalf of everyone at GMP Rochdale, have a wonderful and safe Christmas and New Year.”

The force has also shared advice to avoid becoming a victim of crime over the Christmas period:

• When out shopping, keep your purse and handbag with you; don't leave it in your trolley or unattended
• Keep any cash you may have on you to a minimum
• Mobile phones and wallets in back pockets are a target - keep secure and out of sight
• Be careful at cash machines and when paying by card - shield your PIN at all times.

With more shoppers about, there are inevitably more vehicles in car parks, offering more opportunities for criminals. Don't let your vehicle be an easy target:

• Don't leave Christmas presents or valuables like laptops, mobile phones, handbags, credit cards or cheque books in your car.
• If unavoidable - put them in the boot and ensure equipment is completely switched off
• Remove your Satnav, clean away suction marks on windows and make sure car doors, windows and sun roofs are all properly closed and locked
• Leave absolutely nothing on show - you may know that there is no wallet in your jacket, but a thief will break a window just to check.
• If you own a van, remove tools overnight and display an appropriate sign in the rear window making this clear

If you are a victim of crime or want to report suspicious behaviour to police, please call 999 or the non-emergency number on 101.

Alternatively, if you wish to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 11.