Police News - Rochdale South

Inspector Gary Hall

Arrests/Warrants:

A wanted male adult was arrested at 10:00am Friday at Hopwood Hall campus, in response to an appeal for information from the public. At around 6pm on Wednesday 19 March 2014, the female victim got off the number 17 bus to Rochdale Interchange at a stop on Rochdale Road. As she walked on to Cheap Side, a man approached her and made a lewd comment before sexually assaulting her. He walked off in an unknown direction. A male is now in custody helping with enquires.

On 22 April police were called to a newsagent in Middleton, when a male was making threats and giving abuse to the staff. The male was arrested and later charged with Public Order Section 4 and refused bail and was due to attend Rochdale & Bury Magistrates court on 23 April at 9.15am

Burglary & Vehicle Crime Update’s for this week from Fri 18 April- Thurs 24 April:

• Six theft from motor vehicle (TFMV), three in Heywood and three in Middleton – this includes one Heap Bridge, Heywood stolen number plates and one Mill Fold Road, Middleton stolen number plates. 
• Seven burglary, five in Middleton and two in Heywood – this includes an insecure shed, were the offenders used the tools from the shed to gain entry to the house. Also at another address the offenders entered through an insecure patio door, found cars keys on the dining table and then stole the car. A further address was entered through an in secure window 
• 11 Burglary OTD (sheds and garages) – three in Middleton and eight in Heywood.

Distraction Burglary

On Tuesday 22 April 2014 around lunchtime three unknown offenders knocked on a victim’s front door purporting to be from the water board. The main offender told the victim they had come to check the drains and unblock them if necessary. The victim allowed all three males inside. Two males went into the kitchen and one checked the outside drains in the rear garden and told the victim that the drains were blocked and they needed specialist machinery to unblock them. They asked for down payment prior to the machinery being ordered. The victim gave the males £300; the main offender said this was not enough and the victim’s mother then gave a further £100 to males. All the males then left the address. The victim became suspicious and spoke to neighbours, includinga  police officer and reported the offence to the police.

Crime Prevention tips for the week: when you go away 

• Make sure your premises are secured every time you leave, even if only for a short time. 
• Make sure your alarm, if you have one, is set. 
• Put lights on a timer switch to make your house look occupied. You can also get timer switches for the radio and/or TV. 
• Ask a neighbour to push post through your letter box and take in any deliveries for you. Cancel milk, newspapers and other deliveries if you can. 
• Ask a neighbour to park a car on your drive so that passers-by assume someone is at home. 
• If you have a close friend or relative nearby with a key, ask them to draw your curtains in the evening and back in the morning. Don’t leave the curtains drawn during the day. 
• If you have a lawn, mow it before you go away. 
• Don’t display your home address on the outside of your luggage. 
• Don’t publish your absence on the internet. Status updates, comments and photos on social media can all give away the fact that you are out of your home for an extended period.

Garden security is very important as the garden is an access point into your home

Secure your garden with lockable gates and walls or substantial fencing. Thorny plants around the perimeter and trellis on top of fences make it harder for an intruder to access your garden. 

• Keep your ladder and garden tools locked away, as they can be used by burglars to access your home. Keep tools inside if you do not have a garden shed. 
• Remember to lock garage and shed windows and doors. Use electronic shed alarms or padlock alarms to deter thieves. 
• Make sure any valuable items stored in sheds are well-secured, to a ground/wall anchor where possible. 
• Store bins securely to prevent them from being used to access upstairs windows or flat roofs. 
• Outside security lighting can act as a deterrent for burglars. 
• Walking on gravel is noisy and this can help to deter intruders.

Events taking place next month: Operation safe plate

Securing your number plates with one way screws: GMP Rochdale South Officers will be fitting one way screws to tackle number plate theft in the area.

Motorists can attend on: Sunday 18 May 2014 12:00pm - 3:00pm

Tesco 24 Supermarket Car Park - Park Road Middleton

Officers from Middleton & Heywood Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) will be fitting the screws free of charge as well as offering crime prevention advice.

If you are unable to attend, call into the Middleton Police Station public entrance, situated on Oldham Road.

Monday – Saturday 9:30am to 5:30pm, to collect the one way screws if you wish to fit them yourself.