Community meeting for crime fighters

Community crime fighters attended a training event at the Village Hotel in Heywood today.

The event was attended by around 80 local residents and volunteers who are working alongside the council and the police to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in their area. 

The Community Crime Fighters scheme sees local volunteers given training to ensure they know exactly what the authorities such as police, council and criminal justice system should be delivering on crime and justice and give them the ability and confidence to challenge them when they are not getting the right service.

The government’s crime and justice advisor Louise Casey was at the event as part of her whistle-stop tour of Rochdale. She said: "I am constantly inspired by the determination of residents I meet who have said enough is enough to the small minority that are spoiling their quality of life, and have had the courage to do something about it. I’m glad that the residents of Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton are taking up the offer of free training to make sure they know their rights and have the confidence to stand up on behalf of their whole community and demand the service they deserve.”

However, some Rochdale Online readers have already claimed that the event was a damp squib.

Message board user 'Webby' commented: "I have just got back from this event and feel like we have been fed a lot of empty promises.

"Do others think we were listened to or was it just another occassion for them to tick boxes?"

Join in the debate on the Rochdale Online message board.