Town centre crime halved

CRIME has almost halved in Oldham Town Centre, making shopping and a night out a safer experience.

New figures show offences plummeted from 258 to 141 between April 14 and June 10 this year compared with the same period last year — a fall of 117 incidents.

But there are fears over truancy after a crackdown on anti-social behaviour resulted in 48 children being found around Oldham bus station on the first day of action.

The statistics were revealed by town centre police inspector Melita Worswick to Oldham Town Centre Partnership in a policing update.

They showed that offences of grievous bodily harm, actually bodily harm and harassment fell by 30 to 26 incidents, shoplifting was down 23 to 32, damage by 24 to nine and thefts from vehicles by 15 to three. Robbery was halved to five and serious wounding fell from five to two, while there were no stolen vehicles or cases of fraud — no change from the same period last year. The only increase was miscellaneous theft, up from 35 to 39.

Insp Worswick said the significant reductions in crime, especially those associated with Oldham’s night-time economy, were due to hard work by the police, partners, Pub Watch and licensees.

She said: “The figures are excellent and are a real testament to the work we have been doing in partnership. We are constantly striving to make Oldham Town Centre a safe night out. Public confidence has also increased.”

Oldham’s reputation for drunken violence has long cast a shadow over the town centre but it’s hoped crackdowns are now paying off in making it a safer place and encouraging people to visit for nights out.

Yorkshire Street was dragged back into the spotlight in March with the death of 25-year-old Andy Molloy, from Hathershaw, who suffered head injuries after being punched outside the Old Mess House pub.

It was the culmination of a catalogue of violent incidents connected to the pub, which resulted in it being closed down for a month.

Insp Worswick said the closure had sent the right message out to the industry and since it has reopened as the Corner House the new licensee has done a fantastic job in running the pub.

A two-week operation to tackle anti-social behaviour at Oldham bus station, as well as juvenile shoplifting and truancy, started on Monday when the 48 children were sent back to school.

Insp Worswick added: “This operation will send out the message that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in the bus station and the town centre and it will also make people feel safer when using the area.”