GMP host community engagement session to discuss progress on tackling violence against women and girls in Rochdale

Date published: 27 July 2023

Earlier this month, Greater Manchester Police officers in Rochdale hosted a meet and greet with local councillors and support organisations to discuss violence against women and girls, listening to the views of local women who have been affected, and supporting victims of crimes such as street harassment, misogyny, domestic abuse, sexual assault, and stalking.

The event was attended by GMP’s Assistant Chief Constable Matthew Boyle and Rochdale’s Chief Superintendent Nicky Porter, along with councillors from Rochdale Council and other support organisations across the area, starting in the town centre, walking around public spaces including Broadfield Park.

The ‘walk and talk’ with officers highlighted the progress being made in their local area to tackle violence against women and girls and addressed what more could be done to challenge behaviours of the community, as well as how GMP are committed to pursuing offenders, building public confidence in policing of these crime types.

Chief Superintendent Nicky Porter of GMP’s Rochdale district said: “On Monday, we held a walk and talk in Broadfield Park. We did this to listen to people's lived experiences surrounding crimes that disproportionately impact on women and girls, such as domestic abuse, rape, and serious sexual offences.

“It was all about listening and understanding what really impacts on women and girls, so policy makers and people like myself in a position of influence locally, can try and make those systems and processes better that underpin and support women and girls in their hour of need.”

Assistant Chief Constable Matthew Boyle said: “Violence against women and girls is a priority for Greater Manchester Police. It's also been highlighted by government as a strategic policing requirement, which means it holds national importance. Greater Manchester Police has invested a large number of resources into tackling this issue, in Rochdale and beyond.

“We've created plans to build trust and confidence in our communities, to relentlessly pursue perpetrators who commit horrendous crimes and also to make our open and online spaces safer. Through this, working in partnership with our statutory partners, our volunteer agencies and the community themselves, we are constantly evaluating our plans to make them better and stronger and keep women and girls safer.”

Councillor Sameena Zaheer, chair of Rochdale Council's employment and equalities committee said: "I think that if we look back a decade or 15 years ago, we are in a much better position to say that women and girls are safer in Rochdale as compared to what we have been through.

"I think there is still a lot we need to do when it comes to resources, we need more resources because we have a capacity to do more and I'm pretty sure that in the future we'll be in a position to say that we are best in the country."

Kuiama Thompson, director of public health at Rochdale Borough Council said: "We are redesigning our services to make sure that they meet people's needs in the best way possible and the best way to do that is to be able to hear from them about what really works. We can't improve our services without that feedback loop and we can't do that without talking to our communities.

"We've got a real, really strong sense of community, that some of the discussions that we've been having today is about actually how supportive not just the service providers are but actually the communities within the borough, so no matter what community you're part of it feels like you're really part of that community and part of that bigger community within the borough.

Janet Emsley, deputy leader and portfolio holder for equity, safety and reform said: “I fully support and welcome the VAWG walk and talk idea and feel that it is a valuable way of engaging with women and girls to provide solutions, advice and support, in order to continue to keep women and girls safe in our borough.”