New safety zone for Freehold as police crack down on crime

A new closure order has been issued in the Freehold area, aiming to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour by stopping gatherings in communal spaces.

Greater Manchester Police has utilised the order, a first of its kind for the force, to address persistent issues with drug dealing and intimidation in the area.

The closure order, which took effect on Monday (4 November), will remain active for three months and follows extensive consultation with local residents, who identified public drug dealing and gathering in shared spaces as primary concerns.

The order was introduced as part of Operation Affect, a local initiative launched in December 2023 in collaboration with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH).

The initiative aims to protect Freehold residents by removing criminal and anti-social elements from shared areas within the neighbourhood.

Inspector Meena Yasin, who leads Operation Affect, noted that the order represents a revolutionary way of using existing legislation to protect our communities in the place they call home.

 

 

 

She said: “This new order should dramatically reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the Freehold area. If we identify people who are entering the neighbourhood without permission or to commit crime, we can arrest and remove them, creating a safer environment for our residents.”

Under the new order, non-residents are prohibited from entering and congregating in the stairwells, landings, bridges, bin chute areas, and other communal spaces attached to the residential blocks.

This approach builds on the existing Public Space Protection Order, which already prohibits anti-social behaviours such as unauthorised riding of motorbikes and public drinking across the Rochdale Borough.

Since Operation Affect was launched, significant progress has been made in the area, with 40 arrests, 10 warrants executed, and large quantities of drugs, cash, and weapons seized.

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing has also contributed by issuing injunctions, terminating tenancies, and repossessing properties where criminal activity has been identified, further supporting GMP’s efforts to maintain a zero-tolerance approach to crime.

Inspector Yasin emphasised that this measure would not disrupt the daily lives of residents or their ability to host visitors, as the focus remains on those who misuse shared spaces for illegal activities.

Increased police patrols are already underway in Freehold, ensuring that officers are available around the clock to monitor the area. Residents are encouraged to report any suspicious behaviour directly to police to support enforcement of the order.

RBH director of neighbourhood services, Hayley Stockham, reiterated the housing authority’s commitment to making Freehold a safer community.

She said: “We continue to be fully committed to improving our communities, and a crucial part of this is having zero tolerance for crime and anti-social behaviour.”

She noted that ongoing collaboration with GMP will support the goal of making Freehold a neighbourhood residents can feel proud to call home.

Efforts to improve security and quality of life in Freehold are being complemented by new investments in local infrastructure.
 

Read more: Police shut down building tormented by anti-social behaviourPublished: 21 August 2024

Upgrades to green spaces, local leisure facilities, CCTV systems, and security measures are underway, aimed at providing a more secure and welcoming environment for residents.

Inspector Yasin also highlighted the importance of positive community relations, particularly with young residents and their families.

She added: “We are working closely with the local children and their families to understand what they want to see from police, but also to create trusted relationships."

The closure order is expected to be a powerful tool in making Freehold safer and more cohesive, addressing long-standing concerns from residents who have experienced the negative impact of criminal and anti-social behaviour.