Making a stand against crime

OLDHAMERS fighting back against crime will meet with police and council workers today to step up their battle against anti-social behaviour.

They are volunteers in the Community Crime Fighters scheme which provides training to ensure they know exactly what the authorities should be doing to tackle crime and bring justice.

The aim is to give them the ability and confidence to challenge the authorities when they are not getting the right service. Oldham Council is co-hosting the event at the Village Hotel in Heywood for 80 local residents who are already working alongside the council and police to tackle problems in their area. The Government is investing £5 million over the next two years to provide training and support to a new legion of community crime fighters.

The training includes:

Information on how residents can get more involved with their local services to reduce crime.

An understanding of the services and information residents can and should receive from the police and other groups.

Ways that locals can more effectively hold local crime-fighting services to account.

Address

Oldham has been chosen as one of the Home Office’s neighbourhood crime and justice pioneer areas.

Areas were invited to make bids on the basis of data including deprivation, population size and crime information, as well as how determined they are to work with local communities to address concerns about crime, anti-social behaviour and justice.

The Government’s crime and justice adviser Louise Casey, who will be attending, said: “I am constantly inspired by the determination of residents I meet who have said enough is enough to the small minority that are spoiling their quality of life, and have had the courage to do something about it.”

Head of Oldham Police, Chief Supt Caroline Ball, said: “The public’s help is key in helping us fight crime.

“This scheme will build on this and will allow us to keep the public more informed.”