Police on a learning curve

SHARING views . . . pupils express their concerns to Failsworth police

FAILSWORTH police have been back to the classroom to find out what young people like and dislike about their area.

Hundreds of pupils took part in an event to find out what kinds of things they can get up to during the school holidays.

Officers from Failsworth and Hollinwood Neighbourhood Policing Team also asked the young people their views about where they live, whether they feel safe and how their area can be improved.

Insp Dave Stopford said: “Many of the pupils said they wanted more youth facilities in the area to stop them hanging around in the street with nothing to do, something they recognised can be intimidating to other young people as well as other people in the community. They also felt that they needed to be better informed about what activities are running and where.”

The police will now work to tackle the issues raised with the help of local partners, including the Oldham Council and youth services, and give feedback to the young people about what’s been done.

Various agencies attended the event, including First Choice Homes, Integrated Youth Services, voluntary organisations such as air and sea cadets and Oldham Athletic community team.

Insp Stopford added: “Thanks to the staff at Failsworth school, in particular Michael Kelly, for hosting such a worthwhile event.

“It was a great opportunity to consult with young people from the Failsworth community on a range of issues, not least the issue of anti-social behaviour and the consequences it can have.

“The Neighbourhood Policing Team, the school and other partners have all worked hard to make the event work well and we now need to work together to act on the feedback we’ve been given.”

For details of the activities and events for children taking place across Oldham during the summer holidays visit the website www.safe4summer.com