Police News - Rochdale North

Insp Michelle Hughes

These past few weeks we’ve been working closely and in conjunction with the Metrolink and bus station senior management targeting the ‘town centre gang’ of youths who have been causing anti-social behaviour issues, upsetting member of the public and public services in Rochdale Town Centre.

We’ve issued dispersal orders and made two arrests this week for breaching the dispersal orders issued. We will continue to work with the public services with a view to resolving these issues and making our town centre a safer place to visit.

In relation to burglaries, the ‘Darker Nights’ operation continues and we remain dedicated to this operation working tirelessly to disrupt, apprehend and bring those responsible to justice.

We continue working closely with victims of domestic abuse, offering reassurance and assistance with a common purpose to bring the perpetrator to justice and we implore any person who is suffering domestic violence or abuse to please come forward in order for us to help you.

Assaults

This week we have arrested nine offenders. The other assaults which have occurred in various locations in the North areas, one person is currently in custody, five have been bailed to re-appear at Bury Custody Office March/April pending further enquires. Three assaults have been no further action after enquiries were complete. Three of the assault were domestic related.

Burglaries

We have not made arrests so far this past week, however enquiries are on-going and arrests are likely to follow.

Drug related offences

This past week has been very quiet in relation to drug offences, however we have received valuable intelligence which we will look into.

Thefts

Seven arrests so far this week. Four of the seven have been charged, two were conveyed to court and the remaining offenders have been bailed to attend court March and April. One offender has dealt with by means of no further action after enquiries. Two offenders have been bailed to re-appear at Bury Custody Office March and April.

Vehicle Crimes

Rochdale North areas have suffered fourteen vehicle crimes this past week, two thefts of a motor vehicle and a staggering twelve thefts from motor vehicles.

Theft of motor vehicles

Bamford = 1
Spotland and Falinge = 1

Thefts from motor vehicles

Norden = 1
Rochdale Central = 3
Spotland and Falinge = 5
Milkstone and Deeplish = 3

Burglary to dwellings

Rochdale Central = 2
Rochdale Town Centre = 0
Bamford = 1
Norden = 1
Healey = 0
Spotland and Falinge = 1
Milkstone and Deeplish = 1

Burglary to a dwelling of note

Milkstone and Deeplish - Hereford Street  
Entry gained through an insecure/unlocked front door. An opportunist burglar/thief tried door handles in street, gained entry, began an untidy search for valuables filling a rucksack intermittently. The thief is disturbed by the victim and leaves the property dropping the rucksack in the street. The victim sees some personal papers belonging to the offender and informs the police. The offender is currently wanted - enquiries to trace the offender are on-going.

Burglaries other than dwellings

Rochdale Central = 0
Rochdale Town Centre = 1
Bamford = 2
Norden = 1
Healey = 2
Spotland and Falinge = 3
Milkstone and Deeplish = 1

Burglaries (other than dwellings) of note

Bamford – Buckley Road, business premises
Offenders forced entry to the grounds and cut a 6 foot metal fence and drive three vehicles in, smashing through a barrier and removing brickwork from the outer wall in two places. They proceeded to shovel copper granules into tubs. The police were alerted and disturbed the offenders who made off on foot over fields. There have been confirmed sighting of three offenders. Enquiries are on-going.

Bamford – Oulder Hill Drive business premises
Ofender(s) smashed a ground floor window, gained entry and removed all internal metal (pipework, cables, flashing and a boiler).

Crime Prevention Advice

Burglary
Do not leave ladders or any other pieces of equipment that could be used to elevate burglars or assist them to gain entry to the first floor or small higher windows.

Please make the external doors to your house, front and rear, as exposed as possible.
A shady (bushes, etc) or unlit area is ideal to a burglar.

Neighbours – please be vigilant and ring 101 if you see something or someone acting suspiciously whether it be around your property or another.

CCTV – if you do possess cameras test them to ensure they are in good working order and adjust the span to ensure you’re in with a good chance of capturing clear images/vehicles, etc.

If you go out leave your house well lit, this is off putting to a burglar.

Vehicle crime
Most vehicle crimes are an opportunity to a thief and this past week has seen many victims fall foul to opportunists. Please take away or hide property within your vehicle as exposed property it too much to a thief to just walk on by.

Also this past week vehicles have been left insecure making it perfect/ too easy for thieves.

Made it hard for them - lock your vehicles, hide or remove property within.

Don’t leave your car unattended when defrosting your vehicle as there are offenders ready and waiting each morning for the chance to take it.