Community care as 2012 came to a close

Rochdale police officers delivered presents to children in hospital and vulnerable families on Christmas Day and continue to bring festive cheer as we welcome the New Year.

Officers from the Rochdale North Neighbourhood Policing Team went the extra mile over the festive holidays to spread a bit of Christmas cheer to those who needed it most. PCs Rhys Ibbotson and Mike Cartwright visited the children’s ward at Rochdale Infirmary to deliver Christmas presents to the staff for them to give to the children.

A family who recently escaped from the war in Syria and another two families who were recently victims of crime and anti-social behaviour also received a visit from their local Inspector, Umer Khan, and PCSOs who arrived with donated presents.

Neighbourhood Inspector Umer Khan said: “It’s important for our community to know that their neighbourhood officers are there to provide care and reassurance throughout the year, but Christmas is the perfect time to remind people of that.

“I would like to thank all those people who donated gifts, especially Key 103's Cash for Children charity, for us to be able to help bring a happy Christmas to those who need it most.”

Officers have also been out visiting older residents who can find this time of year particularly lonely. Working together with organisations like Age UK officers have been able to ensure that some residents have been given a better service and were looked after on Christmas Day.

Inspector Khan continued: “Although Christmas is over, the work of GMP officers and PCSOs will continue to ensure that residents and workers in the area can feel safe and secure throughout the year. We would like to wish everyone a very safe and crime-free 2013.”

If you have any information about a crime you can call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.