The force is with you...

The long arm of the law . . . Inspector Danny Milovanovic, centre with PCSO Jonathan Marsden, PC Mark Clough, PCSO's Monica Saville and Kath Crompton

A MAJOR police initiative in a Saddleworth village is being hailed a success.

Key members of the Saddleworth and Lees Neighbourhood Policing Team have spent a week out and about speaking to residents in Delph.

The scheme is a pilot for a project which will be introduced across all Saddleworth’s villages, backed by additional units, offering free advice on home and business safety, neighbourhood watch and other antitheft and community-based schemes.

As part of the operation, officers from GMP’s mounted unit took their horses to visit delighted children attending Delph Primary School.

They were backed by PC Joe Watts, who brought two Springer spaniel dogs, experts in drugs and explosives detection, to the school. Meanwhile, PC Mark Clough, who is based in the community, showed children the inside of a police vehicle.

Another police vehicle, based in Gartside Street, operated a free advice surgery and officers handed out crime prevention packs and encouraged people to set up Home Watch schemes.

Officers made door-to-door visits asking residents for their concerns about crime and anti-social behaviour in their area.

The operation was spearheaded by Insp Danny Milovanovic, who is in charge of the Saddleworth and Lees township.

He said: “Villagers have really appreciated our high profile. It has been a great opportunity for them to meet us and discuss any problems they may have.”

Chief Supt Caroline Ball, who is in charge of the Oldham division of GMP, said: “It is important for us to get the local views of residents.

“Any police issues raised, such as criminal damage, youth nuisance or drugs, will be dealt with by the team and we will then feed back to the community about what has been done.

“We will also work with the local authority to solve any non-crime issues that arise, such as litter, dog fouling and street lighting.”

Parish councillor Ken Hulme said: “I am really pleased at the efforts of our local police force to get out and about and meet the Delph community.

“Initiatives away from the ‘Robo-Cop’ image will help to get us back to the bobby on the beat approach most of us want to see.

“Effective policing and crime reduction depends on police and communities working together and I hope this week will see a positive relationship developing between Delphers and the local constabulary.”

Delph head teacher Alison Leigh, who is in charge of the 192-pupil school, said: “The children have learned a lot from the police visit.

“It’s good that parents and children have closer links with the police.”