Out in the cold

Matthew McCartan at the entrance to the alley where he wants gates to be fitted

Not enough crime to need alleygates — despite ‘10 years of trouble’

A FAILSWORTH postmaster claims he was told there was not enough crime in Failsworth to warrant alleygates — weeks after he was victim of an attempted armed robbery.

Matthew McCartan, who has run the Lord Lane post office for 21 years, said anti-social behaviour and criminal activity has blighted the alleyway behind his business.

He has spent the past 10 years reporting incidents and seven years campaigning for a set of gates to block off the alley.

Mr McCartan said he has suffered four attempted armed robberies in the past three years, with the last one occurring only three months ago.

Three men, armed with a hand gun and taser stun gun, burst into the post office and attempted to smash the counter window but fled empty handed.

However, Mr McCartan claims Oldham Community Safety Unit last week told him there was not enough crime in the area or alleygating cash to have them installed.

Mr McCartan (39) said: “We’ve had ongoing problems for the past 10 years every Friday and Saturday night with youths drinking and taking drugs in the alley behind us, as well as fly-tipping and criminal damage.

“I’ve asked for alleygating to block it off but when I spoke to the community safety unit, they said there was no crime in the area. Yet there is a block of six shops next door to us and gates went up to block their alley.

“First Choice Homes owns flats in those blocks and I believe they’ve been given priority.

“Alleygating only works if you do a whole area, if not you are just passing the problem on.”

Mr McCartan added: “The police just focus on the Failsworth Pole area trying to stop drinkers from the pubs from fighting and getting run over. Their focus isn’t on the community.”

Oldham Council’s cabinet meeting last Wednesday agreed proposals for a £275,000 fund to install alleygates across the borough.

Councillor Rod Blyth, cabinet member for people and communities, said: “The proposals for alleygating are that burglary figures will be the main factor in deciding where they are placed.

“Currently the evidence we have does not support their installation at this location.

“In addition, the District Partnerships will have an additional £100,000 for investment in a range of crime reduction measures, including alleygating.

“If Mr McCartan feels that he has a case then he should get in touch with his ward councillors.”

Insp Dave Stopford, of the Failsworth and Hollinwood Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “I am more than happy to contact Mr McCartan to discuss his concerns and help in any way I can.”