Police shut down building tormented by anti-social behaviour

The closure, which will be in place for three months, prohibits access to the building.

Police have enforced a closure order on a building in Freehold after the area was tormented by anti-social behaviour for weeks. This marks the third such action taken in recent weeks, following community concerns about drug-related activities and disorderly conduct.

The closure, which will be in place for three months, prohibits access to the building. Authorities have warned that anyone found unlawfully on the premises risks arrest.

Residents reported numerous issues, including a high volume of visitors at all hours, frequent incidents of criminal damage, noise disturbances, and acts of intimidation.

This follows the closure of two other nearby properties last month, where residents had expressed fears over their safety and disturbances disrupting their daily lives.
 

Read more: Police close two Rochdale homes citing rampant criminal activityPublished: 08 July 2024

Inspector Meena Yasin from GMP Rochdale said: “I’m pleased that this closure order has been granted and I hope it will bring further reassurance to residents in the area, and the wider community, that criminal behaviour and intimidation will not be tolerated.

“This address has been causing untold issues for the local community and we have been working closing with Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) to target anti-social behaviour and ensure residents are safe and feel safe.

“I hope this latest closure order highlights how important it is for residents to let us know about issues in their areas. We will take it seriously, and we will work with our partners to do all we can to resolve the problem and ensure that the closures are fully enforced, and any criminal offences are dealt with robustly.”

Operation Affect is the force’s latest initiative in Freehold neighbourhood. Working with Rochdale Council, Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), and the local community, police are working to disrupt criminality in the area.

So far, officers have executed ten warrants, made 33 arrests, and seized large quantities of illicit cash, drugs, and weapons.

Anyone wanting to report suspicious activity can do so by calling GMP on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.