Police awake to rough sleepers

Police in Rochdale town centre have been working to address the increasing number of people sleeping rough in the area.

In the early hours of Friday (10 February), officers patrolled the town centre and around the College Bank Flats and referred those found out in the cold to support agencies for help with drug, alcohol and mental health issues.

And every effort was also made to provide them with temporary or permanent accommodation.

PC Daniel Shirazi of the Rochdale town centre Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Rough sleepers are especially vulnerable in freezing, sub-zero temperatures like we experienced last week, and through this approach we are determined to reduce the risks they are exposed to and ensure they have access to relevant support services.”