YOBS wreaking summer havoc are facing a zero tolerance approach from the police.

Officers have launched a clamp-down over fears that youths are getting out of control in Greave.

It follows several reports of criminal damage over recent months, which has seen troublemakers attack cars, hurl stones and bricks at windows, smash bus shelters, scribble grafitti on walls and ride mini motorbikes illegally on the street.

The police are also concerned about a general rise in anti-social behaviour, especially during the lunch hour when many schoolchildren gather on the streets during term time.
Operation Flashback is hoped to be the solution.

Working with the council‘s community safety, anti-social behaviour, youth service and housing teams, along with the Rochdale Federation of Tenants’ and Residents‘ Association, officers will be busy gathering intelligence on the perpetrators and encourage vulnerable or intimidated witnesses to report incidents in confidence.

Patrols will also be stepped up on the estate at peak times to reassure residents.

North Rochdale Inspector James Troisi said: “Wherever we see evidence of anti-social behaviour we will intervene,
as law-abiding residents are having their quality of life ruined by mindless individuals.

“We will use all resources to deal with them, and special constables will patrol the Greave Estate during evenings and at weekends in addition to regular officers.

“The off-road bike unit will also be seizing mini-motos where they are ridden illegally.”

Heavily involved in organizing youth activities at Greave Community Base, Councillor Barbara Todd said most youngsters on the estate were ‘law-abiding‘ with only a minority causing ‘all the nuisance’.

“I think this operation is a good idea,” she said. “We do get one or two characters that cause the problems and they need cracking down on.

“The parents also need to be brought to task.

“I am sick of being woken up in the middle of the night by kids and their parents should be held responsible.”

• To report any incidents of anti-social behaviour or criminal damage, call the police on 0161 872 5050 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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