ASBO for Cray estate youth who plagued residents

The ringleader of a gang of youths who plagued the Cray estate with anti social behaviour has been given an Anti Social Behaviour Order (ASBO) at Bury Magistrates Court recently. Bradley Blunt, aged 18, led a gang of teenagers who made residents lives a misery on the Cray estate in Milnrow for a period of over 12 months.

Bury Magistrates heard that Blunt’s behaviour was so bad that several residents moved off the estate during this period and people were too scared to complain to the authorities. This changed due to partnership working between Greater Manchester Police, Rochdale Borough Council and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing who encouraged residents to give evidence to them in order to take action.

The magistrates heard that Blunt’s behaviour included damaging property, abusing residents, setting fires, drinking alcohol in public and threating violence towards residents.

The ASBO against Blunt prohibits him from using abusive, racist, insulting, offensive language or behaviour towards any person in any public place within the Rochdale Metropolitan Borough. It also prohibits him from using, demonstrating or threatening violence or encouraging or inciting third parties to do so, vandalising or damaging property not belonging to himself and consuming alcohol in a public place.

Blunt’s ASBO highlights a large area from which he is excluded, including the Cray Estate, Milnrow Memorial Park and Stannybrook Park. The order also prohibits him from having contact with a number of named individuals and it also orders him to leave any premises (including shops and restaurants) when requested to do so. Blunt’s ASBO runs until 20 September 2014 and any breaches can be reported to the police on their non emergency number, 101.

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing Enforcement Officer Roy Thornsby said: “Bradley Blunt has caused severe alarm, harassment and distress for residents on the Cray Estate and the local area for a long period of time. This order will now give these people protection against him and I commend the community for having the courage to speak out against him.” 

Inspector Jem Davies of the Pennine Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “It is hoped that this order will help to protect the community from suffering further acts of anti-social behaviour. As police we will continue to adopt a firm stance against anti-social behaviour. Such behaviour will not be tolerated.”