Contenders line up for youth MP role
Drivers are warned over ‘men trying car doors’
THE New Year has got off to a great start for six young people as they have been announced as finalists in the battle to be the next Member of Youth Parliament for the borough of Rochdale.
Candidates were shortlisted and 14 applicants were invited to attend an interview evening, facilitated by the youth service, where they faced a set of challenges.
They were then whittled down to the final six following a vote from young people attending.
Two of the six youngsters in the running to be the next Member of Youth Parliament for Rochdale borough are Anita Okunde, aged 14, from Kingsway Park High School, who is the current Deputy Member of Youth Parliament for the borough and Kate Cook, aged 16, a former pupil of Wardle Academy, who is currently a student at Rochdale Sixth Form College.
The third candidate is the current Member of Youth Parliament, Louis Tweedale, aged 16.
Louis, a former pupil of Hollingworth Academy who now attends Rochdale Sixth Form College, has his hat in the ring for another term.
Nikola Warchon, aged 13, who is a student at Holy Family School and 16-yearold Sam Catlow-Ramirez, aged 16, a former pupil of Hollingworth Academy and now a student at Rochdale Sixth Form College, are also in the race to be named a Member of Youth Parliament.
The final candidate is Sidra Hussain, aged 14, a pupil at Hollingworth Academy.
Coun Kieran Heakin, Rochdale council’s cabinet member for children’s services, said: “I always find these youth parliament elections really interesting, to see the passion and enthusiasm from our young people on topics that matter to them is really powerful.
“I’m looking forward to seeing their manifestos and seeing them campaign for votes across schools.”
The six candidates will now start their election campaigns, speaking to young people across the borough on their manifesto points.
Ballot papers will soon be arriving in schools and pupils across the borough will be able to vote on their next Member of Youth Parliament.
For more information, visit rochdale.gov.uk/ youthservice. POLICE in Rochdale have warned motorists to be on their guard after a spate of reports about men trying car doors.
Greater Manchester Police received a number of calls this week about men trying vehicles doors and looking into properties.
According to the reports they were seen on the Falrands Rise, Ginnell Farm Ave, Daisy House Close, Gilbrook Way, Black Chapel Drive and Broad Lane areas of Kirkholt and Balderstone.
The incidents occurred overnight and in the early hours of the morning.
Now police are asking the public to remove anything of value from their vehicles, and ensure house doors and windows are locked and keys are hidden out of view.
They are also urging the public to report any suspicious behaviour.
Posting on social media, officers said: “Please be vigilant and report any suspicious circumstances to 101 as soon as you possibly can.
“You can also report something electronically by visiting gmp.police.uk and click on the ‘chat to us now’ caption at the bottom right hand corner and follow the instructions.
“You will be communicating with Officers in GMP’s Control Room.
“We are aware and have increased patrols into the areas of concern.
“Please rest assured we are doing everything in our power to apprehend those responsible and bring them to justice.
“We must, however, continue to encourage you to inform us of any suspicious behaviour.”