It's Time To Get A Grip

Posted By: Mark Birkett
Date Posted: 02/04/2007

You know as well as I do that we have a 'youth-nuisance' problem in our town. Whilst most of our youngsters want to enjoy life and allow others to do the same, a tiny handful of our youngsters are choosing to make life an absolute misery for their neighbours. Vandalism, graffiti, litter, dogs off leads, verbal abuse, under-age drinking, drug dealing and often far worse. You’ve seen it. You’re not blind.

It’s time to get a grip. But what can we do?

We all know our Police are under-funded. That’s why this Lib Dem administration has argued forcefully at local and national level for more officers on the beat. But that’s a longer-term answer. In the short-term, I believe we must all work ‘smarter’ with the Police. That means you, me and everyone else reporting every single crime and getting a log number. It also means keeping your local councillor informed so they can keep an overview of progress. Above all, it means community groups becoming the focal point of this work.

I believe that a PC or PCSO must attend and report back to every meeting you have. Social Services must follow up every instance of dysfunctional families. Where there is enough anecdotal evidence from the community, the troublemaker concerned must get a stern warning. So should their parents. Where that doesn’t work and they have ‘earned’ an ASBO, let’s make damn sure they get one.

This problem has a much bigger impact than just ‘nuisance’. When people tire of nothing appearing to work, they simply pack up and leave. Every time that happens, Rochdale loses another decent family that makes a pleasant community possible.

So let’s work together from today. Support your local Police. Support your local community groups.

It's time to get a grip.

For further information on setting up a Residents' Group, call Councillor Mark Birkett, 07944 814297, mark.birkett@rochdale.gov.uk