Police crackdown at litter-hit beauty spot

Photo: Vivienne Brierley

Dovestone - local beauty spot

AN INVISIBLE hi-tech shield is revealed as the latest unique weapon in the battle against marauding wreckers at a Saddleworth beauty spot.

Police are using Whats App to send secure encrypted short messages to share vital information simultaneously with their partners.

And the new move boosts response in real time and makes police operations a coordinated and effective operation to protect Dovestone at Greenfield.

The app is used in conjunction with traditional emails and mobile phones and has brought all the services together to galvanise an effective partnership.

Over the weekend officers from Greater Manchester Police teamed up with partner agencies to tackle seasonal issues at Dovestone which concentrated on litter and drunken youths.

Barbecues had caused problems at the country haven which is a site of special scientific interest - despite signage telling visitors not to bring barbecues or have naked flames in the area.

GMP, the RSPB, Tree for a Life, United Utilities, Oldham Council and the Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue services came together to tackle the problems which are seen as a seasonal issue.

PC Lee Cullen, Saddleworth South Neighbourhood officer, said: "The problems go hand in hand with the warmer weather.

"But torrential downpours hampered the operation and kept thousands of visitors away.

"It was the partnership's intention to educate visitors, bringing their attention to the barbecue ban and encouraging them to take their self-generated litter with them as opposed to leaving the much loved beauty spot resembling an open tip.

"But although the weather vastly reducing the footfall, we went out on patrol engaging with the visitors who were overwhelmingly supportive of the partnership's actions to protect the area and tackle anti social behaviour.

"And the partnership will be coming together again next weekend to patrol the area."

Miriam Biran, RSPB's visitor experience manager, added: "The public can help by not having barbecues or lighting fires.

"Residents need to take responsibility - removing their litter and reporting fires if they see them."