Youth bus drives into town

Youth service and police round up youths on the Wardleworth estate

Rochdale Borough Council’s youth bus will be on the Wardleworth estate this Christmas.

Police in Rochdale contacted the council’s youth service to provide youngsters with a range of alternative activities and encourage them to sign up to youth clubs across the borough.

Every Thursday night the bus (fitted with DVD players, Playstations and other interactive games) will take to the street and youth workers will ask youths to get on board.

Police Officers, PCSOs and youth workers will be speaking to the youngsters on the bus about antisocial behaviour and crime and the effect it has on the community at large.

Mohammed Sheraz, a youth worker from Rochdale Borough Council’s Youth Service, said: “We’re happy to assist the police in this way and target the areas where our services are most needed. We use the interactive equipment to break down barriers with young people and as a result we are successful in building positive relationships with youths on the estates.”

PC Sean Goddard, for the Rochdale North Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: "Working with youth services has been a great way for us to find a solution to a number of the problems faced by residents in the Wardleworth area. By putting the youth bus in the heart of the community we have been able to address everyone’s concerns and provide the youngsters with a place where they can participate in a number of activities.”

Councillor Dale Mulgrew, cabinet member responsible for community safety added: “Working in partnership in this way is a key element of reducing the impact of youth nuisance in our communities. I hope this problem-solving method of working is replicated across the borough to improve the quality of life for all of our communities.”