Civilians helping our thin blue line
RESIDENTS are taking crime fighting into their own hands by forming night time patrols after a spate of thefts and attempted break-ins on homes, businesses and vehicles.
Patrol groups have been set up in both Littleborough and Whitworth in the past month, responding to community fears that overstretched police resources are leading to the areas becoming an easy target for criminals.
For the past fortnight, Littleborough Community Wardens have been patrolling the streets of the town each night – as well as the Smithy Bridge, Stansfield and Hollingworth Lake areas – in reaction to a perceived increase in crime.
The Littleborough group claim they are providing a ‘pro-active community presence’ and are not vigilantes and have no intention of hurting burglars and car thieves but hope to deter criminals and detain those caught in the act for the police.
A similar group have been out and about in Whitworth every night since before Christmas, with a team of around ten volunteers patrolling on foot and in vehicles in a bid to ‘disrupt and cause a nuisance’ to thieves operating in the town,
Glen Andrew, 32, who set up Littleborough Community Wardens, told the Observer he has had the full support of community police officers in the area and has already apprehended two suspected burglars who he handed over to the police.
He said: “We are very much working alongside the police and can give them local knowledge to help them.
“They are so stretched with recent cutbacks. They patrol the main roads but what I can do is show them the ginnels, alleys and back streets which criminals use, and share intelligence.
“The other night I caught two lads who had been thieving, they had bags full of electronic equipment. I detained them until police could pick them up.
“My motivation for this is that I hate liars, bullies and thieves and I believe this brilliant community should be a little bit safer.”
Clint Davies, 41, set up the Whitworth community patrols after a spate of break-ins in December and now oversees night time patrols by around ten volunteers on a rota basis.
He said: “We started after becoming fed up with the amount of crime going on in Whitworth - throughout December businesses and homes were being hit, including the dance school where my daughter goes.
“Businesses on Hall Street were also hit.
“I thought somebody needs to step up and try to disrupt these criminals, cause a nuisance to them.
“Our nightly patrols see us pick up a different patch and we go out, sometimes on foot and sometimes in cars.
“We are not vigilantes, we just want to make the town a little safer.
“We’ve had very positive feedback from people in Whitworth.”
A police inspector for the Rochdale West and Central Neighbourhood Team has praised the actions of the Littleborough group, saying that the patrols show the success of GMP’s Citizen Contract which states that the force ‘will provide opportunities to be part of policing to keep communities safe.’
Inspector Steven Jameson also said that his entire team were aware of the recent trend with vehicle crime and were dealing with it as a priority.
He said: “A priority suspect for vehicle crime was recently arrested following this review of recorded offences and information from the public and that was a direct result of incidents in the Littleborough area.”
Jenny Walker, 40, of Lincoln Drive, Smithy Bridge, has spoken to more than 30 neighbours who supported a letter outlining their concerns about crime to neighbourhood police.
Mrs Walker, said: “I understand the police are working with the Littleborough community wardens and are in full support of their efforts.
“The fact remains, they shouldn’t have to do this.
“I find it very sad that the police would agree this an appropriate way of keeping people feeling safe when we pay taxes that should mean our police force is suitably funded to increase its presence in times such as this.
“Our area is a quiet and lovely place but is being preyed upon by these ruthless people who seem to fully understand that there is no one out there to stop them.
“I understand there is so much admin with small crimes but all these added up are massive. The community has had enough and something needs to be done.”
A Gofundme page has been set up to pay the expenses, such as fuel, incurred by the Littleborough Community Wardens.
As of January 1 it had raised £950 from 86 people in just 12 days.
A similar crowdfunding effort has raised £500 for the Whitworth group and they will hold a community meeting later in January to decide how that will be spent.
Residents have also reported their concerns about policing to Rochdale MP Tony Lloyd.
Mr Lloyd said: “I take this issue seriously and have escalated to the appropriate department.
“I have forwarded concerns to GMP and have requested that they provide an update, including crime stats for the Littleborough and Smithy Bridge areas.”
‘We are not vigilantes, we just want to make the town a little safer. We’ve had very positive feedback.’
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