Residents can get involved in community action day

Heywood residents and business owners are being urged to raise worries and concerns relating to crime, litter and anti-social behaviour in their community.

On Friday, 7 February, 9am to 2pm Rochdale Safer Communities Partnership (RSCP) will be at St Joseph’s Church, Mary Street, giving concerned residents the chance to report environmental crimes such as fly-tipping and graffiti, receive practical safety tips and security advice, and talk in confidence to police.

Throughout the day, live twitter updates will be put out by @saferrochdale where questions can also be sent.

Councillor Sultan Ali, cabinet member for strengthening communities at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “The day of action requires local people to be part of the solution. Report issues in confidence to us so we can act on what you tell us. We’re bringing people out from behind the desk to your doorstep. We hope to see many of you on Friday.”

The event forms part of a ‘crime and grime’ action day in Heywood town centre and the Angel Meadows estate. Teams from the council, police, fire service and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing will work alongside community and volunteer groups to combat issues such as burglaries, bin fires, fly-tipping and rubbish, tenancy breaches, underage drinking and antisocial behaviour. Advice and information on health and social care, benefits, housing and business start-up support will also be available.

To combat car crime, police officers will fit free registration plates with special anti-theft screws at Morrison’s car park 10am to 3pm. For young people, the youth service’s ‘where it’s at’ bus will be parked up on Mary Street, from 6-9pm, to steer young people towards groups, clubs and activities available.

Chief Inspector for partnerships, John Taylor, of Rochdale’s Division, added: “We really want to focus on tackling the issues that concern residents and businesses most. Friday is an opportunity for lots of different agencies and organisations to be on hand and help people with their queries face to face. This is partnership working at its best by looking to tackle some of the root causes of crime as well as the crimes themselves.”

To raise concerns, contact the police non-emergency number on 101, report crimes anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111or call 999 in an emergency only.