Rochdale town centre. Image courtesy of Google Maps
Councillors have called for a crackdown on a ‘criminal element’ allegedly behind an increase in street begging and anti-social behaviour in Rochdale town centre.
Hotspots are said to include The Walk, Baillie Street and various high street banks.
The problem is understood to have become so serious a number of businesses are considering moving elsewhere.
Some have linked it to the Broadfield Park Hotel, which was used as emergency accommodation for those at risk of homelessness during the pandemic.
However, the Local Democracy Reporting Service understands the building has not been used for this purpose since December and is currently empty.
Calls for crackdown on ‘criminal element’ behind increase in town centre begging and anti-social behaviour Date published: 06 April 2021
Rochdale town centre
Councillors have called for a crackdown on a ‘criminal element’ allegedly behind an increase in street begging and anti-social behaviour in Rochdale town centre.
Hotspots are said to include The Walk, Baillie Street and various high street banks.
The issue was raised at a Rochdale Council cabinet meeting during a discussion about renewing the town centre Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) from July.
PSPOs allow councils to ban – or put conditions on – certain activities ‘to ensure that the law-abiding majority can use and enjoy public spaces, safe from anti-social behaviour’.