Police in crackdown on anti-social behaviour

GMP Logo

Police officers across Greater Manchester are stepping up activity to tackle the anticipated rise in anti-social behaviour over the Easter school holidays.

There will be high-profile patrols in hotspot areas such as parks, outside take-away shops and in town centres at peak times to deter young people from hanging around causing trouble. Instead, they will be encouraged to take part in positive activities such as art and craft clubs and various sporting activities.

In some areas, if appropriate, CCTV will be installed to record evidence and officers will also be wearing head cams to record any anti-social behaviour activity that will be shown to parents so they can see what their children have been up to.

Police officers will be working alongside local authorities to tackle anti-social behaviour and provide positive activities for young people.

Enforcement tactics include visits to licensed premises with licensing and trading standards officers to carry out test purchasing and to remind staff of their responsibilities. There will also be robust policing of alcohol exclusion zones; alcohol confiscation from underage drinkers and targeting of known offenders through stop and searches. Officers will be using alcohol testing strips and body worn CCTV on some of these patrols.

Gateway checks on buses and trams will be carried out in partnership with GMPTE and there are projects in place with universities to tackle noise and other nuisance behaviour in student residential areas.

High visibility patrols will take place where officers will be accompanied by local parents, youth workers and housing association officers and mobile police stations will be sited in the most vulnerable locations.

Projects that provide positive activities for young people to get involved in include community football coaching and tournaments, climbing training with the British Army, Easter Egg Hunts, sports development activities, youth discos and visits to community farms.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan, GMP’s lead on anti-social behaviour issues said: “Anti-social behaviour really affects people’s quality of life. Over the Easter holidays, there will be no excuse for young people to hang around on the streets, as there are lots of activities for them to do.

“The bank holiday weekend provides a well-deserved rest for many people and I want to reassure residents that the police and partner agencies will be working together to tackle any anti-social behaviour problems.

“However, we need parents to take responsibility for their children’s actions and know where their children are and what they are doing.”

If anyone witnesses any criminal activity or anti-social behaviour taking place, they are being urged to report it to the police immediately on the non-emergency number: 0161 872 5050 or 999 in an emergency, where there is a threat to life or a crime in progress.