Teenie bobbies go on the beat

ON patrol . . . from left, Neighbourhood Youth Watch member Carole Hallsworth (17), Dawn Fox, Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale, PCSO Jane Smith, and Neighbourhood Youth Watch member Rebecca Smith (13)

CRIME-BUSTING teenagers are taking to the streets of South Chadderton as part of the borough’s first ever Neighbourhood Youth Watch.

Ten young people, aged between eight and 16 have formed the Youth Watch and become the eyes and ears of their community.

Armed with crime prevention advice, the youngsters are joining officers from the Chadderton Neighbourhood Policing Team on monthly walkabouts in their community, reporting any issues such as fly-tipping and graffiti.

As part of the project, the young people have taken part in workshops about how to report crime.

They have also learned how to report crime anonymously to the Chadderton Neighbourhood Policing Team by filling in a report cards.

Dawn Fox, Youth Works manager from Groundwork Oldham and Rochdale, set up the scheme with the help of two Groundwork volunteers and PCSO Jane Smith.

This week is national Neighbourhood Watch Week and Dawn said: “Some crimes are often blamed on young people, when in fact they don’t like crime on their doorsteps.

“This project aims to support young people, to identify and report crime and criminal behaviour in their area and become the eyes and ears of the community.”

PCSO Smith said: “It’s been fantastic to work with the young people.

“As well as educating them about crime prevention, we are finding out what their concerns are and inspiring them to care about their community.

“Our Policing Pledge outlines that as a Neighbourhood Policing Team we should be accessible to everyone, and that includes our younger residents.”