New ASB legislation used to close house used by alleged trafficking gang in Rochdale

New anti-social behaviour legislation was used to obtain a closure notice on a house which was used by an alleged trafficking gang in Rochdale.

GMP staff working on Op Retriever were able to use the new measure to temporarily close an address where it was believed a vulnerable victim was being held.

In this groundbreaking case, the closure notice was put in place for 48 hours by Rochdale’s Superintendent Neil Evans, before being extended to three weeks by officials at Bury Magistrates Court.

Inspector James Faulkner, who led Op Retriever, has hailed the new power, saying: “This is another tool which officers can use to tackle the exploitation of vulnerable people.

“The use of this new legislation ensures the continued safeguarding of vulnerable persons within our communities and I am glad that GMP is blazing a trail for others to follow in the battle against trafficking and exploitation.”