Reimagining Rochdale: A safer, more vibrant town centre

Friday, 4 April 2025 15:03

By David Murphy

Cllr Daalat Ali, cabinet member for health, R.Martinez AD RBC, K.Ambrose RBC, P.Ambrose BID, L.Steele RBC, L.Singleton RBC, Gary P-F RBC, Kuiama Thompson RBC dir public health, Danny Inglis GMP C superintendent, M. Yasin

This week marks the first step of multiple operations to rejuvenate Rochdale town centre by addressing local issues including tackling serious and organised crime and preventing the sale of illegal goods.

Partners from across the borough; Rochdale Borough Council, GMP, Business Improvement District (BID) and external partners including Turning Point, Sanctuary Trust and High Level have taken a collaborative approach, which aims to improve the look and feel of Rochdale town centre and ensure it’s safe, family-orientated, vibrant, attractive and welcoming to all.

Councillor Daalat Ali, joint deputy leader and cabinet member for health at the council, said: “Bringing a wide range of people together who are committed to the sustained, long-term regeneration of the town centre presents an exciting and ambitious opportunity.

“This successful operation, which will continue to be carried out over the coming months has been planned and executed by working closely with partners and our council services. Our residents will see the results straight away and feel safer due to the fast paced nature of these operations.

"This collaborative approach of listening and working with businesses, property owners and local people will create safer spaces, appropriate services and improve the living, working and recreational environment in the community.”

Inspector Meena Yasin from our Rochdale district said: “Through a combination of targeted enforcement using criminal, civil and regulatory powers, this operation will see police and partner agencies clear an area of crime and antisocial behaviour, hold that location to prevent other criminality from filling the void, and build resilience so the area is less susceptible to crime and criminal groups operating in the area.

“Our businesses, commuters, visitors, and residents are at the heart of this initiative, and we’re committed to working with them to ensure this operation tackles the issues which are affecting them the most, ensuring Rochdale is a place people are proud to visit, work, and live.

“This is the starting point of a long-term project, but we have already seen results with a number of arrests for drug dealing and shoplifting and we will continue to build on this.”

Information from the community continues to play a vital role in the success of this work and we would urge anyone who knows anything that could assist us to get in touch by calling 101, or anonymously if needed, via the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Do you have a story for us? Want to tell us about something happening in our Borough?

Let us know by emailing newsdesk@rochvalleyradio.com

All contact will be treated in confidence.

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