Agenda item

Greater Manchester Police

Minutes:

Inspector Partington (GMP) provided the update with Sgt Hartley-Pickles and PCs Anderson and Awais also in attendance.  Inspector Partington advised residents that the police team for the area is fully staffed now and PCSO Pemberton is also back in work.

Speeding Traffic
The Inspector advised that the previous issues raised regarding Keswick Street in terms of vehicles accessing the one-way system incorrectly and speeding, etc are very hard for officers to be onsite in the area 24/7 to witness and enforce.  The neighbourhood team will do their best to pursue offenders when out and about in the area as best they can.  There are plans for some targeted speed operations towards the end of this month and updates on statistics will be uploaded to Bee in the Loop afterwards.  A resident requested an operation is conducted by GMP specifically in the area of the speeding loop being taken by some offenders, that being Manchester Road – Slattocks – A627(M) – Queensway, as it is a regular occurrence to witness in the area.

Off road motorbikes and quads were again raised as an issue on the roads and the Inspector again advised that GMP are working with the Council on the process to apply for a Public Space Protection Order to cover the whole of the Rochdale Borough which will enable them to enforce and issue fixed penalty tickets to offenders.

Drugs
Officers have previously had certain areas of concern brought to their attention via Crimestoppers, residents and Councillors and as a result there will be two targeted operations carried out this month in an attempt to tackle these issues using the intelligence received.  Residents are urged to either email the neighbourhood beat officer with any further intelligence, including dates, times and registration details of incidents witnessed or ring Crimestoppers with information which could support officers in their attempts to issue warrants and seize the necessary individuals involved in this criminality.

Anti-social behaviour
Current statistics as reported to GMP do not depict there to be an issue in the ward of Castleton with regards to anti-social behaviour.  There had been reports of issues at the playground situated on Heywood Road and as a result this area will be incorporated as part of a routine patrol now.  By way of an explanation the Inspector added that statistics tend to increase in numbers due to the summer holiday period and will now settle back down that the schools are back in.

Burglaries

Statistics reported in the period of 1 June – 31 August 2023 are as follows:
Residential burglaries – 7 reported – reduction of 53% on same period last year
Commercial burglaries – 4 reported – increase on last year’s figures
Personal robberies – none reported – this figure was 3 in the last period
Business robberies – none reported
Vehicle crime – 21 reported – figure reported last time was 34 therefore a 40% reduction

Queries raised to officers included the lack of visibility of officers on patrol in the village to which the Inspector requested a chance for the new members of staff to start patrols once again and increase visibility.  It was explained that neighbourhood officers rotas do not provide 24/7 cover as response officers have.  GMP urged residents to report everything they feel relevant in their attempts to tackle crime, as the more evidence that is built up, the more resources can be applied.

A resident raised concerns regarding youths witnessed standing on roofs and abusing residents in the Keswick Street/Moorpark Avenue areas and they were prompted by officers to report all incidents witnessed.  A resident stated there were regular reports of drivers ignoring the three no entry signs on Smalley Street in order to avoid the road works, particularly around 4-6pm every day and a request was made for officers to up their patrols.  Similar issues were reported in the areas of Heywood Road and Beswick Street with regards to traffic offences.

Councillor Sheerin thanked GMP for their attendance at the meeting.

‘Bee in the Loop’
Cards were distributed to residents in attendance for this new initiative by GMP which is a messaging service, in addition to their social media channels, to communicate with residents/businesses in each area regarding incidents/emergencies, to pass on crime prevention advice and to help shape local priorities for officers to concentrate on.  Residents can sign up to it via the website www.beeintheloop.co.uk