Photographer Alan in the frame!

Photographer Alan Hamer

Freelance photographer Alan Hamer got a surprise when a special project led to a brush with the law.

Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) hired Alan, from Norden, to take pictures of its homes around the borough to help promote them.

All was going well until he went to take some shots in Smithy Bridge and aroused the suspicions of an eagle-eyed resident.

Following a call to the police, a patrol car was dispatched to investigate the report of a man hanging around and taking pictures of people’s homes.

Fortunately the misunderstanding was quickly resolved once Alan explained to the officers about his assignment.

While everyone saw the funny side, RBH say it highlights the value of people being vigilant.

RBH Enforcement Manager Andrew Gibson said: “The resident did exactly the right thing by calling the police to report their suspicions.

“One of the most effective ways of deterring burglary and other criminal behaviour in our neighbourhoods is for people to show this kind of community spirit.”

Chief Inspector John Taylor, of Greater Manchester Police’s Rochdale Division, said:
“How good it is to know our residents take a proactive approach towards keeping their local community safe.

“Identifying suspicious activity and acting upon it by contacting the police can prevent many crimes from occurring. It is far better to be safe than sorry and by working together we really can make the borough a safer place.”

Alan, whose photographs will be featuring on the HomeChoice website to promote RBH’s wide range of homes, said: “I certainly got a surprise when the police turned up but it’s good to know that residents are looking out for one another.

“The police now know about the work I’m doing for RBH around the borough so hopefully there won’t be any more problems.”