Neighbourhood joy as hoodies become goodies

Chris Clarke, Adam Griffiths, Jamie Quinlan, Andrew Jennings and Amanda Holt in the Collier Hill youth club

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A HOLLINWOOD dispersal order combined with youth activities have been hailed a success after incidents of anti-social behaviour more than halved.

Launched in December last year, the three-month scheme ran alongside activities and projects to encourage young people off the streets.

The order provided police with the power to disperse groups of two or more people of any age who were hanging around on the streets, harassing and intimidating local residents. After 9pm, officers were also authorised to escort home anyone under 16 found to be taking part in anti-social behaviour, and who were not in the company of a responsible person over 18.

As a result, anti-social behaviour incidents dropped by 53 per cent between December 3 and March 3 compared with the same period the previous year.

More than 200 young people got involved in the activities each week and police had to disperse a total of only 14 over the three months.

Although the order has now ended, neighbourhood officers will continue to patrol the area, and additional funding has been provided so the activities can continue.

As part of the initiative, Hollinwood youngsters and the community group Street Link are helping to improve the quality of life for residents.

Lee Marsland, of Street Link, said: “The teenagers who work with us earn themselves a Street Link hoodie to show they are back on the right track and are staying out of trouble.
“This is our way of challenging the stereotype that those who wear hoodies intimidate residents and are involved in crime and anti-social behaviour.”

Alex Davis (17), of Collier Hill, recently earned himself a Street Link hoodie. He said: “I’ve been going to the youth club since last July and working with Street Link has totally changed my life. I now a volunteer at the youth club and help out with football coaching.”

Insp Dave Stopford, of the Failsworth and Hollinwood Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “What is different about this initiative is that the police, council, residents, housing associations, and community and voluntary groups have all worked closely together to ensure that we take a proactive, sustainable approach to steering young people away from anti-social behaviour.

“Residents have praised the work of everyone involved and have offered their support for future initiatives in the area. Young people regularly tell us that they have nothing to do, so as part of this initiative we have listened to their concerns and put in place numerous activities for them to get involved in. It’s our aim to continue this success and hopefully roll out this approach to tackling anti-social behaviour across the borough and beyond.”

John Norris, neighbourhood manager with Oldham Council, said: “The significant decrease in anti-social behaviour is a result of fantastic partnership work between the council other statutory organisations, such as GMP, and community groups. This has been the real key to success.”

Anyone with community policing issues should contact the Failsworth and Hollinwood Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0161-856 8914 or email failsworthandhollinwood.npt@gmp.police.uk