Police News: Rochdale South Neighbourhood Team

Inspector Gary Hall, Police - Rochdale South Middleton & Heywood

Arrests/Warrants:

On Thursday 13 February 2014 a male adult resident in Middleton was arrested and subsequently charged with taking a cycle without consent, possession of cannabis and assault by beating a taxi driver. The male was released and bailed to appear before Bury & Rochdale Magistrates Court on 13.02.14.

Handling & Fraud: Selling of tobacco/cigarettes. A male was arrested in the Britannia Public House, Middleton: Suspected of Handling Stolen Goods, police bailed until 11/03/14 for further enquires.

Safer Internet:

Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has seen an increase in crimes such as harassment and fraud being committed online. The rise is difficult to quantify at present, as GMP will start recording cyber-crimes officially on 1 April 2014, but is linked to the fact that so many retail and banking transactions take place online, and that more people now interact with each other through social media sites.

To tie in with this trend, GMP is supporting Safer Internet Day, a global campaign involving schools, companies and other organisations to help encourage the safe and responsible use of technology.This year police will be using social media networks to give tips* on how children and young people can stay safe online, whether they are accessing the web through a computer, smart phone or other mobile device.

The rise of websites like Twitter and Face book has been accompanied by cyber-bullying and cyber-stalking. GMP will use social media to promote a series of online safety videos, which feature police cadets giving advice on issues such as protecting personal information and blocking inappropriate content. Although social media sites are used in a positive way by most people, there are those whose sole aim is to bully and intimidate others, and there are occasions where we have to intervene.

“Some people use the anonymity available online to be rude or threatening, but we would remind them that there is a common sense line between exercising freedom of speech or making a humorous comment and committing a criminal offence. Just because you can’t physically see someone doesn’t mean they’ll find a comment any less hurtful, abusive, threatening or offensive, and we will track down those who abuse others.

“We would like to take this opportunity to remind people that they are never completely anonymous. In some cases it may be difficult to identify people online and trace them, but the police have developed skills and make best use of technology to find offenders. It may take time in some cases, but we will invest that time and effort to bring offenders to justice. I’m confident that if people heed our advice and safety tips, and also think before they post messages, then we can help to create a better and safer internet.”

For more information on Safer Internet Day go to: www.saferinternet.org/safer-internet-day

For tips on how to stay safe online go to: www.getsafeonline.org

To watch online safety videos dealing with topics such as cyber-bullying and how to use social networks safely, go to:

http://www.gmp.police.uk/content/section.html?readform&s=4EC972D47350026480257C0800299C61

* GMP is offering these online safety tips to parents:

• Talk to your child about their favourite websites. Starting a conversation on a positive note can lead nicely into a chat about online safety. 
• If your child loves to use social networking sites, teach them about protecting their personal information by thinking about what they are sharing and who they are sharing it with. Show them how to use privacy settings, how to block and report, and advise them to only accept friend requests from people they know in real life. 
• Remind your child that showing respect for others online is just as important as showing it offline. Encourage them to think before they post and encourage them to show positive behaviour online. 
• There are lots of ways you can advise your child about cyber-bullying. If they are worried then remind them to save the evidence and to always tell an adult they trust if something upsets them online. 
• There are ways in which you can help to prevent your child from seeing inappropriate content online. Have you considered parental controls and filtering in your home, and also on your children’s portable internet-enabled devices? 

Neighbourhood Police would like to inform the public, that there has been an increase in vehicle related crime over the last few months and would be grateful if owners of vehicles would remove any valuable items and make sure that they secure their vehicles at all times.

Police officers and PCSOs are currently leaflet dropping in areas that are being targeted.