Injury through violence falls 11 per cent

VIOLENT crimes that result in injury have fallen by 11 per cent in Oldham, according to latest figures.

A third of injury crimes come from alcohol-fuelled incidents, many in the town centre on Friday and Saturday nights. As many again are the result of domestic violence.

In the 12 months to the end of March, 1,334 crimes resulting in personal injury were reported across Oldham — compared with 1,499 the previous year.

When violent and non-violent crimes are combined, Coldhurst had the highest number (273, or 17 per cent of the total), followed by the town centre on 244 (15.5 per cent).

The biggest concentration of alcohol-related violence is in the town centre, followed by Coldhurst and Alexandra.

Almost half of alcohol-related violence in the town centre takes place in Yorkshire Street. Added to incidents inside pubs, clubs and late night food shops, the figure increases to 76 per cent.

Chief Insp Andy Harty told Oldham Council’s Licensing Committee that town centre closing times and turning out times from pubs and clubs were flashpoints for violence.

He said: “Oldham town centre used to be very vibrant, but it is not like that now, Lees is the most vibrant area. The town centre is very quiet until midnight - then it becomes very busy.”