Operation Barbican: proactive neighbourhood policing in Ashton‑under‑Lyne

Tameside - you told us you were concerned about ongoing anti‑social behaviour in Ashton‑under‑Lyne town centre that was affecting public safety, confidence and the overall environment.

In response your committed local neighbourhood officers have taken action.

Sergeant Rob Froggatt leads Operation Barbican, a neighbourhood‑led town centre anti‑social behaviour (ASB) and reassurance operation based in Ashton‑under‑Lyne.

The Ashton neighbourhood team and dedicated PCSOs carry out daily high‑visibility patrols, focusing on hotspot areas for public disorder.

Drug use and unsafe obstructions were another particular concern. Officers are working hard to enforce the Ashton Town Centre Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO) by taking a firm but fair approach - engaging with people, giving advice and issuing warnings where appropriate.

When people choose not to comply, officers take positive action, including making arrests.

You also told us that groups of young people gathering in the town centre were contributing to anti‑social behaviour.

In response, our neighbourhood team has worked closely with local businesses and the council to better understand the issue and find long‑term solutions.

While increased policing activity helped reduce disruption around local businesses, it also highlighted the need to prevent issues simply being displaced elsewhere. As a result, the neighbourhood team is now focused on working with partners to create safe, positive spaces where young people can spend time without causing harm or nuisance.

As part of this wider approach, Sgt Froggatt has worked with a local boxing club to help engage young people, encouraging them to stay active, build confidence and choose positive alternatives to becoming involved in crime.

Our neighbourhood teams across Tameside have a strong relationship with shop owners, transport staff and the wider community, ensuring concerns are acted on quickly and problems are tackled together.

Recent results under Operation Barbican have included:

• Arrests for drug dealing, drug usage, theft, assault & breach of criminal behaviour orders.

• Numerous positive stop searches
• The town centre also has 16 live criminal behaviour orders banning known prolific offender from entering the town centre.

This demonstrates the continued commitment of Tameside’s neighbourhood officers to keeping Ashton‑under‑Lyne safe, welcoming and well‑policed. 

Sgt Froggatt said: “I am incredibly proud of the work my team have put into Operation Barbican and the positive impact they continue to make in Ashton town centre. Their dedication, professionalism and hard work in tackling anti-social behaviour has been outstanding.

“Day in and day out, they are committed to making Ashton a safer, more welcoming place for everyone who lives, works and visits here. The team consistently go above and beyond, working closely with partners, local businesses and the community to address concerns and improve the town centre for all.

“Their determination and community-focused approach reflects the very best of neighbourhood policing, and they should be extremely proud of the difference they are making.”

Neighbourhood policing is more than a role – it is a specialism that requires knowledge, skill and strong leadership.  

Officers and PCSOs working in neighbourhood teams are often the first point of contact for local people, building trust, preventing crime and dealing with the issues that matter most to the communities they serve, including anti-social behaviour. 

We have around 1,400 neighbourhood officers working across 38 teams at GMP – they are based in all 10 of our districts.