Police tackle summer anti-social behaviour

PCSOs Angela Smith and Alan Shaw from Pennine Neighbourhood Policing Team held a Safe 4 Summer enrichment day at Hollingworth Business and Enterprise College

Police in Rochdale have launched an operation to tackle anti-social behaviour during the summer holidays.

Operation Quasar which started on 26 July runs throughout the school break.

It sees neighbourhood officers patrolling hotspot areas supported by Youth Services, Community Safety Officers and schools to deter anti-social behaviour and usher young people to a host of summer activities found across the Borough.

Anybody caught drinking will have their alcohol seized.

Operation Quasar which was launched in February continues on the success of previous school holiday initiatives.

Superintendent Chris Hankinson for Rochdale Division said: “Anti-social behaviour is an issue that we take very seriously and we understand the effect that it can have on residents’ lives.

“Unfortunately during the summer holidays anti-social behaviour tends to see an increase because of the warm weather, long nights and young people being out of school. However, we know that operation Quasar has had previous success and I am confident that by working closely with other organisations and putting our officers in hotspot areas we can have a positive impact on anti-social behaviour so that everybody can have an enjoyable summer.”

Prior to schools breaking up for the summer officers and PCSOs held a series of inputs at schools informing youngsters about the number of activities they can take part in while on leave. They were also provided with crime prevention advice and useful safety advice for when they are out and about.

Councillor Dale Mulgrew, Cabinet member for Community Safety at Rochdale Borough Council said: "We recognise that the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour can rise during the school summer holidays so we've been working closely with the police and our youth and leisure services to put on an extensive programme of activities for young people, from free water sports to dodgeball. There's no excuse for youngsters saying there's nothing to do, with all the events on offer locally young people can have the chance to make this summer their best summer yet."