War on teens behaving badly

A Saddleworth village has revealed a blueprint to tackle anti-social behaviour and litter problems.

Street Scene Greenfield, a sub group of Greenfield and Grasscroft Residents Association, is launching an action plan which includes targeting grot spots.

The main problem area is between Road End, Greenfield Park and Dovestone reservoir, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings.

A packed residents’ meeting was told gangs of up to 80 youths, often intoxicated and using bad language, urinated and behaving in an anti-social manner in the area.

However, Insp Danny Milovanovic, of GMP’s Saddleworth and Lees neighbourhood policing team, stressed the majority of young people did not cause trouble.

“It is a small, mindless minority which we will continue to target,” he declared.

From the start of the year, there have been 155 fewer crimes in Saddleworth South, compared with 2008.

Insp Milovanovic added: “Although there has been a slight rise in anti-social behaviour in the Greenfield area, we are working closely with partner agencies, including the challenge and support team and youth services, to tackle the problem.

“Extra patrols have been in place on Friday and Saturday evenings and we recently arrested two people for assault and disorder offences.

“We are visiting schools to talk to young children about consequences of getting involved in anti-social behaviour.”

And he appealed to parents to help in the crackdown. “Please make sure you know where your children are and educate them about how their actions can impact on others.

“Encourage them to respect other members of their community,” he added.

Chairman Peter Lowe confirmed the group’s statement of purpose and added: “We want to develop a plan to work in unity to deal with anti-social behaviour, litter and dog fouling problems.” Roy Taylor of RSPB said they will be taking over the lease of Dovestone and surrounding area from April 1st next year.

Budgets are in place to improve security, toilet facilities and provide dog bins around the reservoir. Two wardens to connect with visitors on site, plus a community education officer for Oldham to work with local organisations, are to be appointed.

Oldham Council’s Street Scene manager, Peter Rafferty said positive improvements were in place but, in a bid to do more, he will investigate grot spots and introduce more bins.

Council enforcement officer, Samantha Jackson said if residents recognised a dog causing fouling, and knew its owner, they should inform her department who would issue a fixed penalty notice.

Mr Lowe concluded: “Issues can only be overcome by team effort, working in unity, respecting each other and our village environment and community.

“We must also show respect for our visitors and expect their respect in return, across all age groups.”

The panel at the meeting included Councillors Christine Wheeler, Richard Knowles and John McCann, Dave O’Hara of RSPB, Dr. Andy Taylor, Mark Parrish and Barry Pelmore of Oldham Mountain Rescue Team, Andy Lilley from King William IV pub, Mike Wood, head of Greenfield Primary School and Helen Rowland, head of St Mary’s School, Greenfield, Mick Scholes, of Dovestone Sailing Club, and prospective councillor, David Crossley.