Police crackdown to curb yobs welcomed

ACTION taken by police to tackle anti-social behaviour in Greenfield has been welcomed by residents.

It has led to a renewal of confidence in the police, a meeting heard last night.

Representatives from the police, Oldham Council’s Street Scene group and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) were at the talks, where local people had a chance to quiz them on their progress.

Peter Lowe, the co-ordinator of the voluntary Street Scene Greenfield group who chaired the meeting, said: “The police have had a major impact and we are very pleased with how far we have come.

“A lot of our youths are social people and we are not here to condemn them, we just want responsibility.”

Inspector Danny Milovanovic pointed to a number of police operations and crack downs on disruptive youths who were last year gathering in their droves in Greenfield park.

He said that moves to take alcohol from young people entering the village, using Direction to Leave orders on trouble causers and providing free sports in Uppermill has improved the situation that had brought residents to breaking point.

One ASBO has been handed out to a 16-year old boy, while two more are in the pipeline.

He said: “There is a notable difference but we don’t want to rest on our laurels.

“The residents were frustrated last year and we took their comments on the chin and launched into action.

“We’ll continue to use the same techniques that have proven to work so that the problem doesn’t return.”

However, residents said litter, dog fouling and unruly campers still affect the area.

The group also expressed disappointment that Saddleworth School had chosen not to put its view forward, and hoped to attract more young people in the future.