GMP committed to tackling anti-social behaviour as week of action begins

Today marks the beginning of an anti-social behaviour (ASB) week of action, which is part of a national campaign to raise awareness of the issues it can bring to communities and the work officers do to prevent and tackle it.

Across Greater Manchester, neighbourhood teams regularly engage with local residents to discuss all manner of problems that they may have encountered: noise complaints, drug use, off-road bikes, graffiti, and other forms of behaviour that can cause misery to people’s lives.

Anti-social behaviour is not taken lightly. ASB can cause a misery to people’s lives and teams across our force recognise that residents can be affected by all manner of issues.

We regularly work with victims of ASB to help them with their issues, including providing recommendations, advice, and toolkits to help prevent further problems. We are committed to helping victims and providing the best possible outcome for them.

Officers will assess the situation and determine the best course of action. This could include:

Direct action: If areas or certain properties are causing ongoing issues and are a repeat demand generator for local officers, direct action can take place. This can include warrants, arrests, and searches of suspect properties. Our work on the Freehold estate in Rochdale in recent months has seen multiple arrests, the seizure of numerous illicit goods, and warrants executed. Read more here: Rochdale launch initiative to tackle gangs in Freehold neighbourhood | Greater Manchester Police

Preventative work: While direct enforcement and action will be used where necessary, a key element of tackling anti-social behaviour is addressing the root of the issue. For example, youths hanging out and causing issues in an area due to a lack of proper fencing, lighting, and other security features. In this case, local neighbourhood crime teams, working with our prevention branch, would discuss the best ways to stop issues and to prevent reoccurrence.

In other instances, officers work directly with young people to provide them with opportunities they may not otherwise get. In Irlam, an example of this is the ongoing Reform programme, which has provided local young people with sports and training opportunities, and seen a marked decline in ASB. Read more here:  Youth programme changing lives in Irlam as ASB figures continue to fall | Greater Manchester Police

Targeted operations: Off-road bikes can be a scourge on local areas. Those affected by their nuisance may have experienced some of the problems they can throw-up; dangerous driving that put themselves and other road users at risk, noise issues, links to drugs and theft, and the careless destruction of beauty spots.

Over the summer, we launched an operation targeting off-road bikes, and which successfully saw the seizure of more than 100 bikes. This included for anti-social driving, for suspected of being stolen, and having no insurance. Read more here: More than 100 bikes seized in 100 days of operation dealing with anti-social behaviour on motorbikes | Greater Manchester Police

Work with partners: Working with partners is a key aspect of our work, and can include local councils, charities, and other emergency services. We regularly work with trading standards to visit stores who sell illegal products – such as illicit vapes or cigarettes – and which contribute to a wider anti-social behaviour picture. Read more about Trading Standards work here: Vapes seized in Middleton as officers tackle ASB, unlicensed premises, and illicit substances | Greater Manchester Police

Superintendent John-Paul Ruffle, GMP’s force lead for ASB, said: “Throughout this week of action, we will be working with our communities across Greater Manchester, using a mix of enforcement and engagement to tackle anti-social behaviour and address the issues behind it.

“We know just how much anti-social behaviour can disrupt the lives of hard-working and law abiding citizens, and I would urge anyone with any issues to get in touch with their local team, who will be best-placed to assist.”

You can report incidents via our 101 service or our Live Chat at gmp.police.uk. Alternatively, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. Always call 999 in an emergency.