Meetings took place today with Greater Manchester Police to discuss a range off issues affecting the constituency such as tackling gang and violent crime, and organised crime impacting our communities.
It was a good opportunity to meet with Chief Superintendent Estelle Mathieson who has taken on the leadership of the Oldham Division, with her significant experience across serious crime she will be an important addition to the borough.
Across Oldham many violent crimes have reduced; however the number of possession of a weapon crimes stand at 323 in 2021/22 and 367 in 2022/23. There have been a number of Section 60 stop and search episodes covering mainly the Limeside and Failsworth areas linked to a period where often petty ‘postcode’ disputes had escalated.
We discussed the work of Operation Venture which supports the work of the Greater Manchester Violence Reduction Unit (VRU). The unit also provides Oldham with £150k in Violence Reduction Grant and a further £27k in Serious Violence Dury grant for 2023/24.
There is an acknowledgement that targeted intervention is needed to support young people at risk of Child Criminal Exploitation. For my part that must include a focus in hotspots including Westwood, Freehold and Limeside, but be clear that no area is free of risk and so we have to ensure no one falls through the net wherever they are.
There is significant work taking place and it’s important that continues, but it’s also important that awareness is raised with parents and the wider community to fully understand the risks, warning signs and support available should they have concerns.
We must also see more general provision in youth services and in school support.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 