Oldham town centre’s new policing team is here, vowing to tackle neighbourhood crime

Headed up by Sergeant Graham Craven, Oldham town centre’s new policing team team launched last month and an extra six officers will be available to police the streets of the borough.

This pilot scheme involves student officers and allows them to learn the basics of investigating crime, dealing with files, interviewing prisoners and engaging with members of the public.

Extra patrols will be in place across the districts of Greater Manchester during the Home Office’s ‘Winter of Action’ initiative – a targeted effort to tackle criminal activity such as drugs supply and anti-social behaviour.

The Oldham team has already been instrumental in arresting a suspect who was identified in relation to a burglary in the town centre.

Karl Priest (aged 40), of no fixed abode, was later charged with two counts of shoplifting, one count of burglary, one count of assault and possession of a bladed article.

He has been bailed and will next appear at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court on Wednesday, January 21.

An engagement session to launch the team was held in Sainsbury’s supermarket, where members of the public were able to speak to the new officers and meet the team.

Sgt Craven said: “The aim of this team is to get more officers out on the streets, investigating anti-social behaviour, shoplifting and retail crime, and being a visible presence.

“Officers can get the foundations of basic policing early on in their careers and they can then apply that knowledge to complex cases going forward.

"De-escalating situations and conflict management are important tools for police officers to possess.

“Expect to see officers out engaging with young people, breaking down barriers between the police and the public.

“We rely on information from the public to aid our investigations.

"Anybody who has any information or concerns regarding ongoing crime within their community should contact GMP on 101 or via the reporting tools on our website, or by calling Crimestoppers in confidence on 0800 555 111."

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