Police zone in on ‘Rochdale crime hotspots’ as part of operation AVRO

Police car

Officers from the Pennine Neighbourhood Team took to the streets of Rochdale in a targeted operation to address local crime and anti-social behaviour, focusing their efforts on known hotspots, including Kingsway Retail Park, Milnrow, Newbold, and Newhey.

As part of Operation AVRO, members of the Kingsway Neighbourhood team patrolled Kingsway Retail Park, meeting with local stakeholders to discuss rising concerns over retail crime, knife crime, and anti-social behaviour. 

The retail park has become a focal point for these issues, prompting heightened police presence in the area. Officers engaged with shop owners and community members, moving on several street drinkers and beggars who were identified as contributors to the area's ongoing issues with anti-social behaviour.

Continuing their efforts, officers conducted foot patrols through Milnrow and The Cray, gathering valuable information from residents. 

During their patrols, officers stopped a vehicle with no insurance, carrying out additional vehicle checks to identify stolen vehicles potentially linked to criminal activity.

Efforts extended to tram stops in Milnrow, Newbold, and Newhey, where police, in partnership with Transport for Greater Manchester, conducted knife sweeps to ensure passenger safety. 

The team managed to deter several suspected shoplifters who, according to the officers, use the tram network to move between different retail crime hotspots across Rochdale.

A total of 35 fare evaders were identified and fined during the operation, with one person arrested on charges related to the fare evasion.

Police explained that even what may appear to be “low-level” offences, such as fare evasion, street drinking, and driving without insurance, play a role in enabling more serious crime. “Prevention is a major part of policing,” officers said, “and many of the ‘low-level’ crimes influence serious and organised crime.”