There continued to be a police pressure to reassure town centre users over the past week, supported by a Section 60 (stop and search) order. I joined Sergeant Graham Craven and his officers from the GMP Oldham neighbourhood team, as they spoke to young people outside colleges and tram stations.
We were in the town centre because the chaos involving around 100 youths fighting and fireworks being thrown last Friday was completely unacceptable and deeply concerning, residents deserve better than this. Searches of young people generally confirmed that many were not engaged in concerning activity, but officers did uncover face masks and some weapons, with arrests made following the violent scene which were widely shared on social media and in the press.
Any parents of young people stopped and whose details were taken down will receive a letter informing them. It is important that all parents speak to young people at school do college about the dangers of carrying weapons, even if they wrongly believe they are doing so for self protection. The risk of serious injury or death is real, as we’ve sadly seen in Greater Manchester over the past few months.
The police response with the dispersal order that was put in place was strong, and I know the local colleges and businesses appreciated it.
Jim McMahon OBE MP 