Saddleworth Police Say Alcohol Crime Down This Year

Police in Saddleworth have revealed that alcohol-related crime in our area is already heading back down this year. While 2009/10 saw an overall rise of more than 10% in booze-fuelled crimes across Saddleworth and Lees, figures for this April, May and June show a fall of more than 13% on last year.

The statistics show there were 19 alcohol-related crimes across our area in the first three months of the 2010/11 municipal year, compared with 22 in the same period during 2009/10. Those figures are particularly impressive given this year’s Whit Friday contests were much busier than last year, when the event was hit by heavy rain.

The local police have also pointed out that there’s been a decline in youth-related incidents. Figures show there have been 270 incidents in the six months since the start of this calendar year, compared with 342 in the same period in 2009. That coincides with the launch of Operation Divert, a scheme put together by the police and local councillors aimed at getting teenagers involved in activities on Friday nights, to help keep them out of trouble.

Free activities including football and dancing are available at Saddleworth Pool in Uppermill on Friday evenings, and more than 60 youngsters go along each week. The Oldham Council-funded Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership, and the police, have agreed to provide money to keep the scheme going until at least March 2011.

The head of the Saddleworth and Lees Neighbourhood Policing Team, Inspector Danny Milovanovic, said: “Challenge and Support and Anti-Social Behaviour teams have also been deployed to the area to assist the Neighbourhood Policing teams in dealing with anti-social behaviour, particularly on Friday evenings. Youth detach workers have also been deployed to the  area, encouraging kids to become involved in diversionary activities.”

He added: “We will also take positive action where necessary, as a 16 year old boy recently received an ASBO preventing him from entering certain parts of  the neighbourhood. The police and our partners will be working harder to make even greater improvements.”

Recently, the local police took on Year 11 of Saddleworth School in a football match, which ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw. Pupil Jack Vasey scored a late equaliser for the school, and was named man of the match. Insp Milovanovic said: “This will hopefully be an annual event, allowing the police to build even stronger links with the school, staff and pupils.”

The local police and Saddleworth School Year 11 recently shared a 4-4 draw. (picture: GMP)

To read an earlier article from Saddleworth News about the 2009/10 crime figures, go here.

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

If you would like to share an interesting story, achievement, photo or something you just want to happily shout about please send it in an email to hello@saddleworthlife.com We'd ❤ to hear from you!!