Rochdale has high number of anti-social behaviour reports

Anti-social behaviour includes street drinking, aggressive begging, vandalism and street prostitution

Rochdale has one of the highest number of anti-social behaviour reports of any local authority area in England, Home Office figures have revealed.

A report on all anti-social behaviour reported to police in England in 2012 showed Rochdalle had over 80 incidents reported for every 1,000 residents.

Manchester has the most with 105.2 incidents reported for every 1,000 residents, Oldham and Tameside also recorded over 80 reports per 1,000.

The figures, which were obtained via a Freedom of Information (FOI) request by shadow Home Office MP Gloria De Piero, revealed Greater Manchester Police (GMP) to be the force dealing with the most reports of anti-social behaviour.

The force had to deal with an average of 85.6 reports for every 1,000 residents within its area.

Anti-social behaviour is defined by GMP as "an aggressive and destructive activity that intimidates, threatens and causes distress".

Examples of such behaviour given by the force are dealing or buying drugs on the street, aggressive begging, street drinking, vandalism, fly-tipping rubbish and street prostitution.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said GMP had had "significant reductions" in anti-social behaviour in 2013, but that the force was "not complacent" about the issue.

"Public perception of anti-social behaviour as a problem has fallen, as have reported incidents, and there has been a rise in perceptions that the police and partners are tackling local problems and doing a good job.

"Anti-social behaviour blights people's lives and so we are committed to working with our communities, partners and schools to reduce the number of incidents and provide an effective response to victims."