Teen terror gang brought to book

ALL quiet again . . . the gang terrorised Shaw

FIVE young yobs who terrorised Shaw and Crompton by physically and verbally abusing residents and business owners have been brought to justice.

Locals have lived in fear over the last few months, with reports of groups of youths wreaking havoc, mainly in the centre of Shaw. The gang caused serious anti-social problems, engaging in criminal activity and physically abusing locals.

But Oldham Council, ward councillors, Greater Manchester Police and local residents have worked together to bring the thugs to justice and five have now been hit with Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs).

The youths ­- who cannot yet be named ­- face arrest if they break the terms of their orders, which include being banned from identified areas and businesses. Four of the orders ban individuals from Crompton Library.

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and co-operatives, said: "Over the last few months we had been made aware that groups of youths were causing serious anti-social behaviour and engaging in criminal activity in the area around the centre of Shaw.

"Residents, business owners and Oldham Council staff had been subjected to verbal and in some cases physical abuse by these individuals.

"Following these complaints, the council worked closely with Greater Manchester Police to identify the people involved and to put a stop to their behaviour.

"As a result of this operation, which used detailed information from local stores and council staff, the local authority successfully secured five Criminal Behaviour Orders against these individuals."

Shaw councillor and leader of Oldham's Liberal Democrat Group, Howard Sykes MBE, said: "These people have been causing havoc in places in Shaw and Crompton and it has taken a long time to bring them to justice. It's been a real co-operative approach and since they've been given these orders we have seen a marked improvement in terms of anti-social behaviour in Shaw.

"An important thing to point out is that some of these youths are not from Shaw or Crompton, they were coming from other areas to cause problems here. It's also important not to criticise our kids because 99 per cent of out local young people are responsible."

When a CBO is issued to a young person, making the public aware of the offender and the terms of the order can be an important part of the process in dealing with anti-social behaviour.

However, in this instance the circumstances of the youths - which cannot be reported - prevents their identification.

Councillor Sykes added: "I accept that we can't name them but it is important that the public know we have done something about the problem. It's important that the public are encouraged to report things like this."

Councillor Brownridge said: "In making a decision about whether to publicise an order the Council follows the Home Office Statutory Guidance.

"The council works closely with the Youth Justice Service and Greater Manchester Police and makes decisions about publicity of such orders on a case-by-case basis, considering the current circumstances of the individual, and any wider safeguarding issues which need to be considered.

"The use of photographs of any individual also requires authorisation from Greater Manchester Police, and any decision is again dependent upon the circumstances of the individual at the current time.

"However, any residents, staff and businesses in the area, who have been subjected to the criminal or anti-social activities of these individuals know the terms of the CBOs. If they see any of the individuals breaching the orders they can report these matters to Greater Manchester Police who can take prompt action.

"Oldham Council will not accept anti-social behaviour and as this operation shows will take innovative approaches to tackle it."