Anti-social problems around Bridlington Square

Resident Shahid Mohammed, Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, Cheif Inspector John Taylor and Ian Halliday from Community Safety

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, Chief Inspector of Greater Manchester Police Rochdale Division John Taylor, members of the local community and officers from the council have this morning (Friday 10 January) undertook an environmental visual audit to identify the growing problems at Bridlington Square.

Resident Shahid Mohammed who has been fighting to get the issues resolved for over four years believes that this is the right step forward. He said: “I think we have made more progress in six months by taking this approach and working with those involved today to resolve the issues than we have in four years.”

The purpose of an environmental visual audit is to give the police and residents a chance to identify problems areas which are then photographed as a before and after progress.

Issues in the area include drug dealing, anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

Chief Inspector John Taylor said: “Today is about identifying the issues and working with the council and the local community to give these residents a better way of life.”

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, who has visited the area before, said: “I am pleased to come along with the police and the council to meet the residents of Bridlington Square so they can discuss the issues and the problems that they are facing. This is a step that needs to be taken to identify a solution.”

Local residents want to see alley gating erected to stop people from congregating in certain areas of the square. One resident said: “There are always people hanging around, smashing bottles, being verbally abusive and doing drugs. It’s an ongoing issue and it’s not nice.”

Shahid added: “The simple solution is alley gating but we haven’t got it and we have been fighting these issues for over four years.”

One step that is being undertaken to improve the area is work on the play area on King Street East. Council officer Ian Trickett from Environmental Management who also went on today’s visit said: “This will be an ongoing project which will start on the 16 January. I have been in contact with the council and community pay back team to arrange the work on the area.”

Work on the play area will include litter picking, the crowning of trees to allow more light into the area and clearing away some of the shrubbery, which has been identified as a place used by drug dealers. In the spring, bulbs will be planted and officers will work on minimising grot in the area.

Shahid will also visit a future Rochdale Township meeting to try and secure extra funding for work on the area.

By the end of the audit, a list of problem areas were identified to police and community safety for them to follow up and take the next steps on.