Oldham Says

A day of action to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour in Hollinwood and Limeside has been hailed a success.

On Friday 18 February 2011, Oldham Council and the Failsworth and Hollinwood Neighbourhood Policing Team joined forces with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and housing providers to clean-up the area and crackdown on crime. 

Police started the day by carrying out two warrants resulting in two arrests and drugs and cash seizures. 

A 27-year-old man was arrested for possession of Class B drugs following a warrant at Lower Lime Road. 

A 32-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of possession with intent to supply after cannabis was found at a shop on Westminster Road. Approximately £30,000 in cash was also seized from the address. 

Officers from the Challenge and Support Team carried out truancy sweeps throughout the day. Twenty young people were caught truanting and were escorted back to school. 

A 14-year-old boy was also arrested for possession of a Class A drug. 

Community walkabouts and clean-ups were carried out throughout the day with residents, Oldham Council and housing providers, including First Choice Homes Oldham. This gave residents the opportunity to highlight areas that need improving and raise any issues they have with crime and antisocial behaviour in their neighbourhood. 

Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service were stationed at Netto on Hollins Road, along with officers from the Failsworth and Hollinwood Neighbourhood Policing Team, giving shoppers the chance to pick up crime prevention and safety advice with their groceries. 

The day of action continued with visits by police, Oldham Council, fire and immigration officers to licensed premises and takeaways across the Hollinwood area. 

GMP and Oldham Council let the public know what was happening throughout the day with regular updates on Twitter. 

Inspector Muz Kernain of the Failsworth and Hollinwood Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Today’s action sends a clear warning to criminals that they are not welcome in our community - we will track them down and we will bring them to justice.  It also shows residents our commitment to tackling crime and making their local neighbourhood a more pleasant place to live. 

“The public’s help is vital in helping us target offenders. I would like to thank residents for providing us with information and also encourage them to continue to come forward. I hope that today’s activities reassure the community that we will act on their concerns and on their information.”

Councillor Rod Blyth, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Public Protection, said: “The work that was been carried out around Hollins Road on Friday was an excellent example of partnership working.

“Oldham Council staff and councillors have worked hard to understand what the issues that are of most concern to citizens in the area.

“The action that took place on Friday has addressed these issues and I hope has sent the message that Oldham Council, and its partners are committed to ensuring safer communities across the Borough.”

First Choice Homes Oldham (FCHO) also cleared 1.5 tonnes of unwanted household items during the kerbside collection. 

Elaine Morgan, Neighbourhood Manager for Failsworth and Hollinwood, FCHO, said: "The transfer of the ownership and management of around 12,000 homes from Oldham Council to FCHO only happened two weeks ago and we are already delivering on the promises that we made to tenants to ensure that our neighbourhoods would receive twice yearly collections of unwanted waste. This is a fantastic start for the new organisation in terms of partnership working and we hope to continue to show our tenants that they will be at the heart of everything we do."