Rochdale police review community issues

Police in Rochdale have conducted a review into their resources to ensure their officers are in the right place, at the right time, to tackle the issues that matter most to the local community.

Rochdale police are looking to become more accessible to the public and better informed on the needs of the local communities.  This will mean less emphasis on buildings and more traditional approaches; there is a clear focus on local deployment of officers and staff along with further community involvement.

In light of these changes, the decision has been made to close Milnrow Police post on 31 August.  Rochdale police consulted with local councillors over this decision and it was concluded that resources would be better utilised to provide neighbourhood surgeries within the heart of the Milnrow community.  

The Milnrow outpost has been used by GMP since July 1999 and was used purely as a base for police personnel.  It has never been open to the public so this closure will have no affect on Rochdale police’s ability to investigate, detect and prevent crime in the area.

Chief Superintendent Terry Sweeney of Rochdale police said: "Meeting the needs of the public and providing a safe environment is at the heart of what we do.  For me this is very much about getting close to communities, both to reassure people and to become more effective as a crime fighting force.  This is a great opportunity for us to deliver a more personalised, efficient and effective service."

There are various initiatives already in place and others are currently being progressed.  Bentgates tenants and residents will meet on the second Monday of each month; there will be a Milnrow forum on a quarterly basis, a police surgery at the housing office on Dale Street will take place every other Wednesday between 1pm and 2pm and there will be a Police Community Support Officer based at Moorhouse County Primary School from September onwards.

Milnrow Councillor Keith Swift said: "Having continually fought to get the police post, when the police station was closed, and then to keep a police presence in Milnrow and Newhey, I am disappointed by the decision of the police to close the police post, but I am not surprised as the post has not been well used by either the police or local community. The police are at last moving back to do what we have been campaigning for for ages, that is putting officers back on the street with the introduction of Community Support Officers."

Date article online: 24/08/2006