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Police to patrol Rochdale Canal

16th Oct 2006

Police officers in North Manchester are joining forces with staff from British Waterways to carry out barge patrols along the Rochdale Canal to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

Police officers in North Manchester are joining forces with staff from British Waterways to carry out barge patrols along the Rochdale Canal to help reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

The patrols are being set up in Ancoats, Clayton, Miles Platting and Newton Heath in response to growing concerns about robberies, vandalism and nuisance behaviour being committed along the towpath.

Over the past six months, British Waterways has recorded 11 incidents of criminal damage, including damage to lock gearing and gates. Balance beams have also been vandalised with a machete and nearby properties have been flooded when offenders managed to run water out of the canal.

Regular water patrols and foot patrols in the area will help to reassure local people that action is being taken and will help to reduce the number of incidents taking place. Staff from Northwards Housing are already working with police to try and identify offenders responsible for committing criminal damage and work is due to start in October to fit six barriers along the towpath to prevent members of the public from riding off-road bikes near to the water.

PCSO Ian Chadwick from the Newton Heath Area Policing Team said: “By working with British Waterways we can help to ensure that this stretch of the Rochdale Canal is a safe place for members of the public. Throughout the year we have received numerous calls from residents about wheelie bins being set on fire, nuisance behaviour, vandalism and more serious crimes, such as robberies taking place. Such incidents are not tolerated by the police and we hope that these barge patrols will help prevent such behaviour before it occurs”.

Jimmy Swindells, supervisor, Rochdale Canal added: “The Rochdale Canal is a magnificent waterway stretching 32 miles from the heart of Manchester to Sowerby Bridge. Over the past six months, the number of anti-social behaviour incidents has risen. This has led to major water level restrictions on passages for boaters due to vandalism around lock 74. Other incidents include damage to lock gates, verbal abuse and motorcycle incidents. By working in partnership with Greater Manchester Police and other key agencies, with the new patrols now being imposed, the canal will become a safer and nicer place for people to visit.”

Last updated: 22/10/2008