‘They have to know that they can’t get away with everything’
‘Mouthy’ kids running riot in the centre of Rochdale need to face tougher action, people in the town say. Teenagers have been reported to have ‘terrorised’ business – harassing staff and ‘causing criminal damage’.
On Thursday (April 2), Greater Manchester Police said a section 34 dispersal order, covering the entire town, would be enforced for 48 hours. Cops said it would help tackle the anti-social behaviour people in Rochdale say is rife.
The order allows officers to ban people from an area. People living in the town told the Manchester Evening News large groups of youths gathering and causing trouble was common.
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Some stores have beefed up security, with guards stationed at the doors of businesses. Jeanette Scott, 83, said: “I saw about 50 to 60 of them the other day. They were just running around, being very mouthy to the PCSOs.
“I think the police have done the right thing with the order. They’re doing what they have to do. They have to know that they can’t get away with everything.”
An 18-year-old, who asked not to be named, said there was ‘absolutely a problem with anti-social behaviour’ in Rochdale. He said troublemakers need to face tougher action.
“I went to school with a lot of these people and I know what they’re like,” he said. “There’s always something happening, especially near the bus stop. You see them running around, getting into fights. At least once a week there is some kind of incident. Something has to be done.
“There needs to be some kind of consequence – like if you act up then you’re banned from public transport or can’t come into town. Something like that.”
There are two main corridors of shops in the town centre. Yorkshire Street has charity shops, nail salons and clothing shops, while newly-built Rochdale Riverside – a few feet away from a tram stop and bus station – has teenage favourites including Nandos, Taco Bell, JD, H&M and a cinema.
People in the town say Riverside is an issue. “You barely see any kids on Yorkshire Street,” one business owner said. “Most of the groups hang around on that [Riverside] side, near the cinema and bowling alley.
“The other day I finished work and there was loads of them. But they are all out of school and that’s what they going to do.” Speaking about the dispersal order, another person said: “I think that’s more of a deterrent so they don’t come into town.”
On Yorkshire Street, Anna Bradley said she was ‘shocked’ to hear of the order, instead highlighting the good she’s seen in Rochdale’s youth.
“Anti-social behaviour is not something I see around here. But I don’t muck around with young people and am back home by 5pm once the shops are closed. There are little groups here and there, but nothing bad. What are they supposed to do?
“When I was young, this place was busier than Manchester. I was in work by 16 – we had a cinema, a dance hall, all kinds of shops and even a nightclub for teenagers.
“Stuff like that is missing. At that age, you’re treated like a child, but you don’t feel like one. There’s nothing around to help them make that next step in life.
“To make them feel a little bit like an adult. I’m really disappointed in that order. There’s some good kids in Rochdale and sometimes they get tarred with a bad brush.”
Anwar Ali said dozens of youths gathering is a familiar site, adding: “I’m expecting to see them today. I see them all the time, loads of kids in big groups near the tram stop.
“They’re usually in school uniform or during the holidays there are loads. They’ve never done anything really bad, but I’ve seen a fights break out from little groups and stuff like that.”
GMP earlier said: “Officers in Rochdale have put a 48-hour dispersal order in place to enhance their ability to tackle anti-social behaviour. Rochdale town centre has seen several recent reports of ASB, and officers are proactively working to tackle issues in the area.
“Officers have implemented a 48-hour dispersal order across Rochdale Town Centre following recent incidents of anti-social behaviour. This includes incidents yesterday where groups of young people were reported to be harassing staff and causing criminal damage at a business and in the centre.
“The aim of the notice is to minimise behaviour contributing to, or likely to contribute to anti-social behaviour or crime or disorder in the area.”
Inspector Meena Yasin, from GMP’s Rochdale district, said: “We have implemented this order to provide further powers for officers in the area to robustly deal with anti-social behaviour, and to protect people and businesses.
“We will not tolerate anti-social behaviour and where this is reported, we will look to take the strongest action – whether through proactive action or preventative problem-solving work.
“These powers are in place for the next 48-hours, and officers will be patrolling the town centre to ensure everyone has a safe and enjoyable Bank Holiday weekend.”







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