Police nip bother in the bud

FESTIVITIES at the Whit Friday band contests remained safe with police reporting little trouble from across Saddleworth.

Chief Supt Catherine Hankinson, who was in charge of police operations, said she was pleased with how the event had gone from a crime and order perspective.

She said: “It is very positive news that we had only three arrests including one for theft and one for a public order offence.

“We made use of new legislation which allows us to move people on from an area and make an order which means they cannot return for a set period of time.

“We utilised this new legislation to full effect and found it to be very successful.

“Where in the past we would have arrested someone for a low-level public order offence, we could instead direct them out of the area and minimise the risk of any trouble starting.

“Only one person was arrested for breaching the direction to leave. “

She added that the main concern for police on the night was the welfare of spectators, particularly teenagers. Officers seized a large amount of alcohol from under-age drinkers.