PCSOs new role in crime fight

POLICE have stepped up their presence in the town centre in a bid to crack down on criminal activity, and make Oldham “a great place to visit.”

The move will see seven police community support officers (PCSOs) given specific areas to cover.

They will be expected to know the managers and people working in every shop in their patch, and to listen to local concerns which need police action.

Insp Melita Worswick told the meeting the town centre would get the same kind of service as Oldham’s neighbourhoods.

She said it would take some time to build up, but information gathered from people who live and work there would help set priorities.

Insp Worswick also promised the town centre would be targeted in the run-up to Christmas in a bid to prevent the seasonal rise in opportunist crime such as robbery, theft from the person, hole-in-the wall crime and shoplifting.