Councillor Kelly welcomed everyone to the meeting and introductions were made.  Attendees were asked to abide by the code of conduct for the duration of the meeting.

PC Hutchinson introduced himself and the PCSOs and explained that he is the Neighbourhood Beat Officer for the local area.

Crime Figures
Milnrow & Newhey 1 March – 31 May 2019
Anti-social behaviour              27          Previously       28
Criminal damage                    19          Previously       33
Burglary dwelling                    23          Previously       9
BOTD                                     6            Previously       13
Theft of a motor vehicle         10          Previously       12
Theft from a motor vehicle    20          Previously       37

Firgrove 1 March – 31 May 2019
Anti-social behaviour              15          Previously       13
Criminal damage                    8            Previously       11
Burglary dwelling                    8            Previously       17
BOTD                                     2            Previously       4
Theft of a motor vehicle         3            Previously       1
Theft from a motor vehicle    8            Previously       8

Police Updates

·         Huddersfield Road is a hot spot for off road bikes.  Residents are urged to continue to report issues.

·         There has been a decrease in criminal damage by 14 compared to the last quarter.

·         Operation Dynamo has targeted vehicle related crime; one offender has been sentenced for six months.

·         GMP were thanked for their social media updates, which residents find useful.

·         It was clarified that residents are able to carry out Community Speed Watch sessions without an Officer or PCSO present.  Locations need to be logged with GMP.

·         A discussion took place regarding a serious incident affecting an innocent family and the need for public reassurance locally.

·         GMP confirmed they are working to solve long term issues.  A recent GMP survey has been undertaken on social media.  It was a basic survey but it has given a number of indications that Officers are looking into.

·         A discussion took place regarding the negative impact that social media is having on prospective house buyers.  GMP advised that there has been a recent spike in crime but additional Police resources have been made available to tackle the incidents.

·         Reports on social media are not always factual or correct.  Residents asked for crime statistics to be shared on GMP social media sites which may help to allay residents’ fears.

David Kendall and Gillian Lennon gave a brief update to the forum.  The scheme has now gone live, it launched in June.  Monitoring sessions have started so residents should now be starting to see a presence.  The role of the volunteers is to engage positively with members of the public and be the eyes and ears for the community.  Monitoring times vary depending on people’s availability, lifestyle and shift patterns.  The feedback from GMP and the community has been really positive, more volunteers are needed and are recruited via application; anybody wishing to get involved can contact the group via their M&N resident watch Facebook page or email milnrow.newhey@gmail.com

The minutes of the last meeting were accepted as a true record.

Action Updates

Action 2: Brook at Butterworth Hall
Officers have confirmed that the Environment Agency are dealing with this matter.  Updates will be circulated to affected residents when available.

Action 3: Pedestrian Island top of Bentgate Street
The work was complete on 18 April 2019.

Action 4: Harbour Lane Gully
Councillor Davidson confirmed the work will be carried out in June.

Action 5: Rear of Rochdale Road, Firgrove
The Clean and Green Team have completed the clean-up.

Action 6: Pot Holes
Some are still outstanding and have been marked a number of times but haven’t been filled.
Action 1: Request update from Highways (Tracey Knight)

Action 7: Experimental Order on Ladyhouse Lane
Highways will be submitting a report to Pennines Township in September 2019 regarding the experimental order.

Bentgate Street
A resident asked if Bentgate Street is on Highways list for resurfacing, and other questions were raised regarding the resurfacing programme and which streets were included.
Action 2: Establish resurfacing plans for Bentgate Street and bring resurfacing work programme to the next meeting (Tracey Knight)

Traffic Lights J21
A resident expressed concern and frustration at the delays caused by the traffic lights during certain periods of the day.  It was explained the Highways Agency wouldn’t allow for the lights to be part time only.

Car Parking in Newhey
A resident asked when the Council would be introducing a car park at the rear of the Italian restaurant in Newhey.  It was explained that the Council has no plans for a car park as the land isn’t Council owned; it belongs to Dr Chadwick’s Trust.

Off Road Bikes

A discussion took place regarding off road bikers and whether as a community we should work together to identify land for them to use.  It was explained that there was a designated area previously but was shut down due to noise pollution.

Ellenroad
A grant will be re-submitted to improve the entrance cobbles, repair and replace the path and improve the information boards.

St James Church
The project is progressing and the work already completed looks good and it has been well received by the community.

Milnrow Clock
A Heritage Lottery Fund Grant will be applied for to match the Council’s funding.

No other business was raised.

26 September 2019

Police Contact Details

Rochdale East
Tel:                      0161 856 8549
Email                   rochdaleeast@gmp.police.uk
Facebook            GMPRochdaleEast
Twitter                 @gmprochdaleeast

Crimestoppers 0800 555 111 www.crimestoppers-uk.org
GMP Live Chat https://goo.gl/KsUihd
Police non-emergency calls 101
Emergency calls 999

PC Stephen Hutchinson Email: stephen.hutchinson@gmp.police.uk

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