Rowen claims new officers making a real difference

Rochdale MP Paul Rowen has praised Greater Manchester Police's partnership with Rochdale Council. He was speaking after joining an officer on the beat in Rochdale. Mr Rowen was joined by Balderstone and Kirkholt Councillor Dale Mulgrew in Kirkholt and local PCSO Gaukhar Delaney. The event was arranged to highlight the town's shift towards community policing.

Mr Rowen said: "Policing in Rochdale is becoming more local with more full-time police officers and PCSOs based in our communities than ever before. The full-time officers are financed by the Council and based in five of our schools, it is clear that they are already making a real difference.

"The point of them is to instil respect in our police at an early age and this is definitely working. This is a great example of the Police and the Council working together to make our streets safer. It's vital that we have a police presence both on the streets and in our schools.

"This excellent project is going well and we are confident that it will lead to both a reduction in crime and youth nuisance. The officers work hard with the schools on issues like school behaviour and truancy before getting out and about in the local communities. This unique approach to policing is making a real difference and really connecting our young people with the police."

Cabinet Member for Crime and Community Safety Councillor Ted Flynn added: "The whole idea for this groundbreaking scheme was a return to community policing. The police in this Borough do an excellent job, albeit under limited resources. The point of this partnership is to provide a base in our communities where people find them approachable. Our officers spend 50% of their time in schools and the other half in our communities. We will be evaluating the success of this unique approach to our communities and looking to extend it."

Councillor Dale Mulgrew, who represents Balderstone and Kirkholt, covered by PCSO Gaukhar Delaney, said: "Speaking to local residents, it is clear that Gaukhar is both a popular and effective member of the Kirkholt Community. She is popular with parents and pupils alike and to see a highly visible officer pounding our streets is a reassurance to many people. Local people are really interested in her Kazakstani roots."

The police, paid for by the Council, are based in five schools in Rochdale; Falinge High School, Balderstone Technology College, Middleton Technology College, Heywood Community High School and Wardle High School. As well as this an army of PCSOs (Police Community Support Officers) are paying regular visits to other schools.