Gorton's neighbourhood team crack down on ASB hotspots

Neighbourhood officers in Gorton have been out tackling known ASB hotspots this week with patrols that have clamped down on criminality in the community.

Across just two nights of proactive patrols, officers dealt with a variety of offences which cause disruption and nuisance in the Gorton area, providing a mere snapshot of what Greater Manchester Police tackle every single day.

On Tuesday (April 25), officers made an arrest of a man on suspicion of possessing a bladed article along with class B drugs. Later that evening, a suspected disqualified driver was taken off the street and marked cars deterred would-be offenders with visible patrols.

The following night (April 26), a man was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence, and a van suspected of being used to transport drugs was stopped and searched by officers, with class B drugs subsequently recovered.

The Gorton Neighbourhood team, headed by Inspector Daniel Pickavance, regularly patrol the streets with PCs and PCSOs.

Over the last three months, despite being one of the smaller units in the COM North area, the team has surpassed its targets and reduced ASB by actively targeting hotspots.

Robberies have been one of the team’s main focuses and officers have engaged with local authorities and businesses to improve CCTV coverage in both business and residential areas.

Further work with local partners includes identifying youths being exploited and drawn into criminality. Once they are identified, a structure is put in place to avert them from this behaviour.

Inspector Pickavance and his team prioritise going after criminal elements whose activities target and exploit this vulnerability.

Inspector Pickavance said: “Keeping this community safe is our number one priority and our work is ultimately informed by what the public tells us. We regularly check on areas that we know are affected by ASB – whether that’s graffiti, teenagers intimidating, or people taking drugs – our team will ensure that they are appropriately dealt with.

“These patrols are aimed at disrupting those who cause problems in the lives of law-abiding citizens and I want the public to know that we have a zero-tolerance to these people. Recently, we had a problem at fast-food restaurants in the area, with young people causing problems for customers. We stepped up patrols, worked with partners in the community, and made a number of suggestions to how the restaurant could deter nuisance offenders. We saw a dramatic change and ultimately that is what we strive for: crime-free locations where people feel safe.

“If you have a problem with ASB and need help, I urge you to get in touch with us. Our team will be able to help you with your issues and advise how we can deal with them. We have regular patch meetings where you can meet our officers for a brew and a catch-up. If you are interested, I would highly recommend coming along to one.

“Keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter pages for the latest news in your area. The new Bee In The Loop service is well-worth signing up to as well: all of these things can keep you up to date with the latest happenings.”

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