Hollins Road is trouble hotspot

Failsworth and Hollinwood District Partnership
HOLLINS Road has suffered more anti-social behaviour (ASB) than any other street in Oldham, putting it in the top three hotspots in Greater Manchester.

But after another increase in trouble over the last year a strategy is helping, the partnership was told.

Chief Insp Haydn Roberts said there had been a 12 per cent increase in ASB in Hollins Road.

Overall, ASB in Oldham fell by 27.2 per cent — compared with 24.7 per cent across Greater Manchester — but the Hollinwood area saw a reduction of only 8.9 per cent.

Hollins Road has been the focus of work to reduce trouble for some time.

Another strategy includes identifying the top 10 ASB offenders and providing a Premium Service to repeat victims, including increased engagement and evidence gathering.

A day of action led to two drug arrests with seven vehicles and £30,000 seized. A youth worker and activities for young people have also been allocated to the area.

Latest figures show a 24 per cent reduction in ASB between December and January in the area — though the snow in December will have contributed.

Chief Insp Roberts said further action will include working with residents to ensure alleygates are locked, sending warning letters, ASB orders and behavioural contracts to problem families and a possible repeat of the day of action.

Councillor Jim McMahon said: “This is a more structured approach than before and I take confidence in it being more organised.”


Gangs being targeted
AN operation to target gangs of nuisance youths in Failsworth will continue over the weekend.

Police were called to Tesco two weeks ago after up to 80 young people from Oldham and Moston caused trouble in the car park.

After an increase in police presence there were no issues last weekend, said Sgt Kam Hare, but police will continue the crackdown.

Officers are working with Tesco’s security and partner agencies.

Sgt Hare said: “I’m quite confident we can put a stop to it with everyone working together.”

Sgt Hare said burglaries are down but vehicle crime has risen slightly. He said body cameras, which the partnership funded, had been helpful in capturing evidence that will hopefully result in prosecutions.

Parents had been shocked by some of the footage of their children’s bad behaviour.

Sgt Hare urged people to join Homewatch and added that four new special constables have joined the neighbourhood police team to boost officer numbers at weekends.