Public services have joined forces in Salford communities to support residents following isolated incidents of criminal damage to properties last month.
The issue of criminal damage is being addressed through partnership working. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) have made made eight arrests, pressed charges of criminal damage against one man and referred a 13-year-old boy to the Youth Justice Service for incidents during the first part of October.
There has been an increased police presence in Little Hulton and Lead member for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Community Safety, Councillor Barbara Bentham has joined police patrols in the area, as well as Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett. Proactive action has already been taking place to tackle and disrupt the incidents in October, some of which had been shared on social media.
Salford City Council has brought services together for ‘Days o Action’ in Irlams o’th Height. Eccles and Kersal to tackle environmental issues to keep communities clean, green and supported.
Last week, the council worked with Greater Manchester Police (GMP), local housing providers and other services for a full day in the community in lower Broughton to improve community safety and neighbourhood cleanliness, tackling issues such as environmental crime, anti-social behaviour and rogue trading.
Salford City Mayor, Paul Dennett said: “We know that the incidents last month caused much anxiety for some of our residents in the small handful of communities that had been targeted. A minority of people thought it acceptable to scrawl ‘anti-HMO’ and ‘anti-migrant’ messaging on some properties and cause criminal damage, including wrongly labelling properties as HMOs that weren’t.
“This created deliberate misinformation, of the kind intent on causing fear and anxiety. No-one should feel unsafe in their own homes. We continue to monitor this issue and take it very seriously, and our message to residents is that we continue to support you.
“We, and other public service providers, are out working in communities every day. We will be continuing ‘Days of Action’ in neighbourhoods right across the city into next year. And we continue to work with the police in support of their enforcement work.”
Should any residents have concerns in their communities, they are being urged to contact GMP online or by calling 101. or alternatively, information can be given anonymously to the idependant charity Crimestoppers on freephone 0800 555 111, or by filling out a simple and secure form on their website.
