Rochdale sees major crime reduction in first year of Operation Tetbury

Crime and anti-social behaviour in Rochdale town centre have fallen significantly following the first year of Operation Tetbury, a targeted policing initiative launched in April 2025.

The ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ approach has delivered sustained improvements over the past 12 months (April 2025 – March 2026), with overall crime falling by 25.8% compared to the previous year.

Year-on-year figures also show that neighbourhood crime has reduced by 34%, anti-social behaviour (ASB) by 32%, and retail crime by 31%, highlighting the impact of focused neighbourhood policing and strong partnership working.

A more targeted, intelligence-led approach has seen stop and search activity reduce by 37%, while recorded drug and weapon offences have increased by 20% as officers identify and take action against more offenders.

The Rochdale North Neighbourhood Policing Team has worked closely with Rochdale Council, partner agencies, businesses, and residents to tackle issues affecting the town centre, including shoplifting, aggressive begging, drug use, off-road bikes and graffiti.

This has included a sustained high-visibility policing presence, joint work with businesses to reduce shoplifting, enforcement action against illegal tobacco sales, and targeted operations to address street drinking and begging.

As part of this work, 38 Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) have been issued, 23 anti-social behaviour interventions have been issued, including Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs), which are voluntary agreements aimed at preventing further offending.

Officers have also monitored nearby town centres, including Heywood, Littleborough and Middleton, to ensure issues are not displaced. Over the past 12 months, there has been no evidence of crime or anti-social behaviour moving into neighbouring areas.

Operation Tetbury has now entered its second phase, with officers and partners continuing problem-solving activity to maintain and build on the progress made.

Last week, the team was named Best Safety, Security & Resilience Scheme at the national Town and City Management Industry Awards. Rochdale BID submitted Op Tetbury into this category.

The judging panel recognised the scheme’s innovation, partnership working and positive impact on the town. The category featured strong competition from schemes submitted by organisations in Milton Keynes, Liverpool and Newcastle, making the award an especially notable achievement for Rochdale.

Meena Yasin, Inspector for Rochdale North Neighbourhood Team, said: “Operation Tetbury involves reducing crime, criminality and ASB on the high street and in our Town Centre. The past year has seen real progress in Rochdale town centre. We have used the pillars of neighbourhood policing - targeted enforcement, problem solving and engagement over a sustained period and combined it with strong partnership working.

“Substantive reductions across neighbourhood crime, retail crime and anti-social behaviour show the difference this approach is making to our communities.

“While reported offences involving drugs and weapons have increased, this reflects proactive offender targeting and intelligence-led Policing, with officers identifying and managing repeat and persistent offenders. At the same time, stop and search activity has reduced as we focus on more targeted, high-quality interventions where they are needed most.

“Operation Tetbury is now in in its second year. While there is more to do, we are committed to building on this progress to ensure Rochdale town centre remains a safe and welcoming place for residents, businesses and visitors.”

Lianne Davies, Assistant Director of Public Health and Communities at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Rochdale has a great deal to offer, and people deserve to feel proud of their town centre.

“Operation Tetbury shows the strength of partnership working across the borough, delivering real improvements and helping make Rochdale a safer and more welcoming place for residents, businesses and visitors.”

Operation Tetbury brings together partners including Greater Manchester Police, Rochdale Council’s community safety team, housing enforcement, trading standards, environmental health and benefit fraud services.