Police News - Rochdale South (Middleton and Heywood)

Inspector Steve Hanlon says: "It has been a busy week for the Rochdale South INPT Team. Our priorities remain tackling burglaries and ensuring victims of Domestic Abuse get the best possible help and support. We had six reports of burglaries during the past week. Half of which were in the Hopwood Hall area.

Reports per ward

North Middleton - 0
East Middleton - 1
South Middleton - 1
West Middleton - 0
North Heywood - 1
West Heywood - 0
Hopwood Hall - 3

"We understand burglary impacts on people’s lives long after the offenders are gone. This is why we continue to give this our utmost attention. We have launched our Winter ‘Dark Knights’ Operation, this is aimed at targeting offenders and focussing on ways to prevent offences taking place.

"One thing we have noted is number of burglaries taking place due to insecurity and homes left in darkness.

"Please see below crime prevention tips to reduce the likelihood of your home being burgled.

"Our officers are undertaking daily checks on suspects and giving attention to the hotspot areas."

Recent Arrests

"Our officers have made number of significant arrests over the past week. One of interest has been the arrest of a juvenile from Heywood for assaulting a PCSO and Theft from Motor Vehicle, he is on bail and is to re-appear on 05/12/14 at Bury Custody Office pending further enquires."

Appeal

A second man has been arrested following the death of a man in Middleton.

At around 12:45am on Sunday 16 November 2014, emergency services were called to Manchester Old Road at the junction of Chapel Street in Middleton following reports of a collision.

When officers attended they found a 28- year-old man with serous injuries and despite the efforts of paramedics and officers he sadly died at the scene.

Initial enquiries have established that shortly before the collision there had been an altercation outside the Carters Arms pub between the victim and a group of men.

Police suspect that this argument resulted in the victim being pushed into the path of a moving car.

A home office post- mortem examination has established that the victim had died from multiple injuries.

A 33-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains in police custody for questioning. A 31-year-old man previously arrested on suspicion of murder also remains in police custody for questioning.

Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to call police on 0161 856 8701 or independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Crime Prevention Advice

Police are advising motorists on how to stay safe this winter as part of Road Safety Week*, which is run by road safety charity Brake.

The theme of this year's campaign is for everyone to look out for each other on the roads, with drivers being asked to protect pedestrians and cyclists by slowing down to 20mph in residential areas, looking twice, taking it slow at junctions and bends, and giving people plenty of room.

To tie in with this, officers will be conducting road-side enforcement operations and winter vehicle-checks at collision hotspots across the region.

Inspector Phil Bromley of GMP’s Road Policing Unit said: “We will be reminding motorists to be careful on the roads and looking for those who flout the law by speeding, using mobile phones, or failing to wear seat belts. We’ll also be making sure that children are properly restrained in vehicles.

“The winter checks involve examining tyres, lights, windscreens and wipers to make sure they’re in working order and that the vehicle is fit for winter use. We’ll also be handing out leaflets containing advice on these issues.”

Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner Jim Battle added: “Our roads are busy and potentially very dangerous places. We each have a duty to obey the law, travel safely and look out for each other to prevent accidents and tragedies.

“Christmas shopping, commuting – whatever the reason for your journey – please remember to be considerate and get the safety basics right, as we all have homes and families we want to get back to in one piece.”

For non-emergency calls or to report a crime call police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111

Use 999 only in emergencies where there is a threat to life or property or a crime in progress.

Note:

* Road Safety Week runs until 23 November, and is the UK's biggest road safety event involving thousands of schools, organisations and community groups. Set up in 1997, the event is coordinated annually by Brake each November, and aims to encourage grassroots action on road safety and raise awareness about the part we can all play in preventing tragedies and making roads safer.