Taking steps to fight trouble
Reporter: DAWN MARSDEN
Date published: 17 September 2010
POLICE took drastic steps to stop youths causing trouble in a Greenacres park.
Residents living near Beresford Street complained of gangs of teenagers hanging around the entrance steps.
So officers asked the council to remove the steps and the number of reported incidents is already starting to fall.
Inspector Melita Worswick of the Oldham East Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “After meeting with residents it was identified that the park steps were the main congregation point for the young people causing the issues.
“So in response and thanks to support from Oldham Council along with support from local councillors we arranged for the steps to be removed.
“Youth workers have also been working with the young people to find out what concerns they have and what activities they want to see put in place in the park to divert them away from anti-social behaviour and crime.
“As a result we’ve had good feedback from the community and reports of anti-social behaviour have dropped.”
East Oldham community champion, Councillor Linda Dawson, said: “This shows that by listening to residents’ concerns and working closely with the police, youth services, housing providers and community groups we can address the issues that matter and make our neighbourhoods safer.
“Tackling anti-social behaviour and helping to improve life for our citizens is our priority.
“I am pleased that our approach has had a positive impact for people living in the Beresford Street area.”
