‘As soon as it gets dark, that’s when it all starts’: Life on the estate where outsiders are banned from loitering

Fear is in the air on a troubled Rochdale estate where drastic measures have been taken.

Police announced on Monday (4 November) they were banning all non-residents from gathering or loitering anywhere around the 19 blocks of flats - meaning they could face arrest if found there.

The closure order, in place for three months, comes amidst a litany of reports of crime rocking the area, with drug dealing rife and residents having to walk past people ‘doing their business in the stairwells’.
 

Read more: New safety zone for Freehold as police crack down on crimePublished: 05 November 2024

The estate came to national prominence last year as the scene of an unthinkable tragedy when two-year-old Awaab Ishak died in one of its flats following prolonged exposure to mould.

But since then, crime has surged with a targeted GMP operation, Operation Affect, shutting down drug dens and arresting dozens of suspects.
 

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

However, despite the police action, residents on the estate still say crime is ongoing – with some too scared to leave their doors at night.

‘I’m scared of leaving my flat’

Susan Hurn is one of those residents who feels tormented at the hands of the gangs on the estate. The 57-year-old, who has lived in the Shirburn block for 14 years, said everything is quiet during the day but as soon as the sun goes down, trouble comes out.

“I’ve lived in the same flat for 14 years and I’m afraid to go out at night,” Susan told the LDRS. “You have to walk past them doing their drugs, swearing, and they’re even doing their business (defecating and urinating) on the stairwells.

“Before it wasn’t too bad because it was family oriented, but there is no green space anymore (which put a stop to that). I’m scared of leaving the flat, especially at night. I’m 57, I shouldn’t have to be worrying about that.

“During the day, it’s not too bad, but as soon as it gets dark – that’s when it all starts. Even the police don’t get out of their cars when they come here, that’s how bad it is.”

Susan said people living on the estate “can’t trust their neighbours”, so she avoids speaking to hers. She believes a lack of activities for younger people to do in the area is leading them into a life of crime, and hopes GMP’s closure order will stomp out the issues that have her battening down the hatches at night. But Susan is not alone in her fears.

 

 

‘It won’t stop the drug dealing’

When the local democracy reporter visited Freehold on Tuesday afternoon, the sheer silence around the estate created an eerie atmosphere that has been heightened by the latest police action.

Evidence of the notice is pinned up on the stairwells and on any available space on walls around the estate. Police have stepped up patrols in the area and have warned that anyone found in breach of the order could be arrested.

GMP say the order “will not negatively impact the day-to-day activities of residents”.

“It just means that police will be able to more effectively remove criminals who are loitering in the stairwells or public spaces, committing crime or anti-social behaviour,” they added.

But some fear the action won’t lead to any tangible difference.

Michael Smith, who lives on the estate, said he believed those causing havoc are ‘too sneaky and too clever’ to get caught. Despite this, the 37-year-old said the visible action can only be positive.

“The drug dealing happens on the other side,” he claimed. “The Drake Street side is where the problems are.

“I’ve never seen anything personally and I’ve lived here for five years. I’ve seen the kids in the stairwells but never any drug dealings in action.

“Every estate in the country is prime for drug dealing. I think people report this and then authorities jump on the bandwagon – making it more than it is. Obviously it is a problem that needs to be sorted. But I don’t think the closure order will stop the drug dealing.

“I don’t know what can help, they’re that sneaky and clever I don’t see how they can stop them because they’ll just go somewhere else They’ve closed some nuisance flats. You can’t go wrong putting more visible attention on it I suppose.”

The reputation of the Freehold estate is notorious in Rochdale, with one non-resident in the area for an eyebrow appointment saying ‘it’s rough around here’. She half-jokingly added: “I told my driving instructor I am just hoping to get out alive”.

One woman told how ‘it’s not safe’ any longer on the estate.

“It’s not safe no more on Freehold, it’s not safe for anyone,” she said. “I go over to my friends, but that’s about it. I stay indoors. I don’t really get out on Freehold. It’s getting worse, and worse, and worse.”

She added: “At night-time, it’s just wild. I hear banging and everything. All the dealers hang around stairways and that – it’s just ridiculous. All the crackheads come out.”

‘People from outside the area are coming in’

But some claim the poor reputation of the estate is not warranted. Mizaan Ali has lived on the side of Freehold which backs onto Tweedale Street for a year, and claims there is a big community spirit.

Pointing to the block of flats where Awaab Ishak died, Mizaan said that since his death, many in the area have pulled together and community meetings are now a regular occurrence with people on the estate having a voice again.

He even commended social housing provider Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) for their efforts in bringing about that community spirit.

 

 

Although he admitted there are still problems with crime and antisocial behaviour, the 37-year-old believes that is due to outsiders coming in. That is something the latest closure order is design to prevent.

“All the drug dealing and asbo happens over near Drake Street,” he said. “It’s where the kick pitch is and more people are loitering.

“Lots of people from outside the area come in. There was a concert on the green not too long ago, around 2,000 people were watching a rap artist. Police eventually turned up and closed it all down.

“We hear all the commotion, sirens, fireworks and loud music from over there (Drake Street side of Freehold). I have been here for a year now and I have heard bad things about this place.

“I never see anything on this side. I’m born and raised in Rochdale so I know the reputation, but it’s far from it on this side.”

And the closure order was welcomed by many on the estate.

One resident said: “I see the drug dealing and antisocial behaviour in the periphery but not too much near me. I think the closure order is a good idea – hopefully it can bring some changes.”

GMP action on the estate

Earlier this year, GMP said the estate was the latest target for its ‘clear, hold, build’ initiative’. It’s the same approach that the force used on ‘Counterfeit Street’ to tackle the illicit trade around Bury New Road and Strangeways.

The force said it would ‘ruthlessly pursue gang members and criminals to clear the area’.

The force said it would then ‘hold the location’ to prevent criminals from returning to the space, before working with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) and Rochdale Borough Council to ‘build a prosperous community’ at Freehold. Drugs, cash and weapons have all been seized during multiple raids.

A total of 40 arrests have also been made while a number of properties have already been issued with closure orders. Meanwhile, RBH have issued injunctions, termination of tenancies, and mandatory re-possessions.

Inspector Meena Yasin, who leads Operation Affect, said: “This is the first Open Space Closure Order Zone secured by Greater Manchester Police and is a revolutionary way of using existing legislation to protect our communities in the place they call home.

“The order allows us to target the stairwells and open spaces in a way that will support cohesion. It will help hundreds of residents, and help our partner agencies in the ‘hold’ and ‘build’ phases.

“This new order should dramatically reduce crime and anti-social behaviour in the Freehold area because 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.

“I hope this demonstrates to the community just how committed we are to their safety. We hear their concerns, and we will use all powers and policies available to achieve our common goal of keeping Freehold a safe and welcoming neighbourhood.

“As well as pursuing criminals and removing nuisance people from the estate, we are working closely with the local children and their families to understand what they want to see from police.

"But also create trusted relationships with them so that we can better support the communities that we serve, all of which is complimented by working with our partner agencies to support people in diversionary activities and helping those in need.”

Hayley Stockham, RBH director of neighbourhood wervices, 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.

“We’re pleased to be able to work closely with our partners, including Greater Manchester Police, to tackle organised crime and make our communities safer.

“We know that there is crime and criminal behaviour taking place in the stairwells and communal areas at Freehold, and these new powers will help to tackle this criminal activity and help us to meet our goal of making sure Freehold is a safe neighbourhood that our customers are proud to call home.

“I want to reassure our customers that all this means is that it is easier for the police to remove criminals who are hanging around in the stairwells or on the passageways.

They can still go about their day-to-day activities, and family, friends, and other visitors (like health and care workers) can still access the blocks as normal.

“Please report any crime to Greater Manchester Police. Customers can also report anti-social behaviour to RBH directly on 0800 027 7769 or via our website. In an emergency, always dial 999.”

George Lythgoe, Local Democracy Reporter