Wythenshawe's ASB patrols produces results with arrest and partnership work

It can take multiple factors to assist in crime detection and prevention – and GMP’s Wythenshawe Neighbourhood Team ensure that they use everything available to crack down on ASB and criminality across the town.

Earlier this week (Tuesday 30 January), neighbourhood officers engaged in proactive patrols aimed at stopping anti-social behaviour from disrupting lives of law-abiding citizens and visitors to the Civic Centre.

Heading out on foot, officers first surveyed the area and liaised with centre security, ensuring they were aware of movements of various known offenders.

Officers had earlier been made aware of an outstanding wanted teenager in the area, and shortly after were able to stop him. A 14-year-old boy was subsequently arrested on suspicion of actual bodily harm. He was bailed pending further investigation.

Meanwhile, other officers engaged in patrols across the town: by keeping on top of known hotspots, officers are able to prevent anti-social behaviour. The patrols firmly remind those seeking to cause trouble that local officers are there and will arrest and charge when needed.

The intelligence picture for tackling anti-social behaviour is built via an array of means. Whether it’s the local neighbourhood watch group, store security and CCTV, or PACT meetings in the area, officers can help identify problematic areas and offenders, taking this into consideration for their work going forward.

Inspector Bree Lanyon, from GMP’s City of Manchester district, said: “Partnership work is key for us – working closely with our communities helps us understand their needs and requirements more, thus informing how we ourselves go about the job.

“Through the snapshot of just one incident, we are able to see how much work our officers can put into making an arrest. From locating that person with the aid of PCSOs and CCTV operators, to Neighbourhood officers stopping that person to make an arrest, there are many pieces of the jigsaw that come together to catch someone suspected of criminality.

“Our team is committed to tackling ASB across Wythenshawe, and we use multiple methods to clamp down on it, where and when we are told. If anyone has any information they would like to share with us, you can contact police via 101, or on our website at gmp.police.uk. You can also look to attend one of our PACT meetings, or call the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.”