Football match to boost police community relations

Police officers from Rochdale are taking to the pitch in a friendly football match against Rhodes Youth Club’s football team.

Officers from the Middleton Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), will battle it out against 11 members from the team all aged 14 to 20 at Hopwood Hall College, Middleton on Tuesday (19 May) from 6pm onwards.

The event is designed to create better links and relations between youths of the area and the police.

Organiser of the event PCSO Dave Quinn said: “This is a great opportunity for both the youths and the police to get to know one another and shows good community contact by coming together in this friendly match. It also lets the youths see the people beneath the body armour and uniform thus breaking down the barriers between the two.

“This match marks a step in the right direction, and will hopefully help in the building of respect and understanding between the two groups.”