Website lists OL2 postcode crime hotspot

POLICE in Oldham have slammed a new survey which claims residents with an OL2 postcode are living in a crime hotspot.

The postal district was named one of the top 20 in the country with the highest proportion of insurance claims for theft or burglary.

It covers residents in the Royton, Crompton, Shaw, Higginshaw and Heyside area.

Doncaster was said to have the highest number of claims, with areas in London, Sheffield and Bristol also making the shortlist.

Oldham came 12th with almost 4 per cent of homes in the postcode having made a claim.
The crime map was compiled by personal finance website moneysupermarket.com who claim they used police figures to draw up the shortlist.

But Inspector Colette Rose, area manager for Royton and Shaw, said the claims did not tally with the current crime statistics for her area.

She said: “Out of the six areas in Oldham, we are the fifth lowest crimewise, apart from Saddleworth.

“The survey certainly doesn’t mirror the figures or knowledge we have.

“It can’t be based on our figures. We are not the crime capital of Greater Manchester.

“It would be interesting to find out how these figures came about.

“Reports like these make residents worry unnecessarily and increase people’s perception of crime.

“Instead, it’s one of the safest communities in Oldham and potentially Greater Manchester.”

Rita Townsend, chairman of Shaw and Crompton Homewatch, was just as surprised.

She said: “It’s quite a shock to hear.

“Shaw gets the minimum crime rate in the Oldham area.

“Although Royton has had a bit of a spate, it has been very quiet over the last few months.

“It sounds a bit strange.

“Most people have got home insurance and I don’t think here has any more claims than anywhere else.”