Can the cans!

BOOZE patrol . . . Dianne Kenny from the council’s environmental services and PCSO Simon Kazmarski

ANTI-SOCIAL drinking, bad behaviour and littering in Oldham town centre are to be targeted by police.

With a regenerated town hall and the new M&S at Prince’s Gate coming in 2016 and 2017, council and police chiefs are determined to boost the appearance of the area.

An exclusion zone will cover the area from the NHS Integrated Care Centre to Mumps Metrolink stop - taking in St Mary’s Way, Rock Street, Beever Street, Oldham Way, King Street and Rochdale Road.

Latest figures show there have been 1,126 reported crimes within the exclusion area since January.

Of these, 326 were of anti-social behaviour and 69 of public order, but not all were connected to drinking. Hotspot sites include the grounds of Oldham Parish Church and around Tommyfield Market.

People found drinking in the town centre will be asked to surrender their alcohol, with arrest and a fine of up £500 the possible result for refusal.

Insp Mark Davis, of Oldham Central Division, said the crackdown is aimed at anti-social drinking.

He said: “A lot of money is being spent on regenerating the town centre and we are working with the council to ensure it is a better, more sociable place.

“We will be taking appropriate enforcement action to deter this behaviour and tackle persistent offenders.”