CCTV van to tackle crime in Middleton and Heywood

CCTV van will travel around hotspot areas in Middleton and Heywood

A newly equipped CCTV van will travel around hotspot areas in Middleton and Heywood trying to prevent and tackle anti-social behaviour and crime.

An extra camera on the roof of the vehicle means that the van can also be used around schools to tackle problem parkers who leave their cars on zig-zag lines while dropping off and picking up, increasing the risk of accidents.

Motorists who are caught parking on zigzag lines will initially be sent a letter from the police and, if they continue to park illegally, will be issued with a fixed penalty notice.

The van, which will be kept at Middleton police station, was kitted out using money from the Community Safety Partnership and the Heywood and Middleton townships, who each contributed funds.

While previously there was just one CCTV van stationed in Rochdale, this additional vehicle will allow wider coverage of the borough.

The roving nature of the van also means it can be dispatched quickly to hotspot areas if required.

Gary Hall, Neighbourhood Inspector for Middleton, said: “CCTV is a great tool for deterring would-be criminals, evidence gathering and driving up detection rates. Crime rates are falling across the borough and we’re confident this will push them down even further.”