Closure of property that blighted a Rochdale community for five years

This success will help to increase confidence in policing in the area and enable law-abiding residents to live in peace.

Neighbourhood Inspector Yasin said: “The past five years of life had become Hell for so many residents because of just one property.

“Success for me is when a five-year-old is able to play outside and people are able to go about their daily business free of abuse. That’s got to be worth fighting for.

“I have a three-year-old myself, and the thought that she couldn’t play outside because of one single flat… I just can’t think what that is like.

“This is the tougher end of neighbourhood policing and marks a significant step forward for us in Rochdale.

The launch of our neighbourhood policing model got off to a great start, when a full closure order was granted following a spate of anti-social behaviour from a consistently troublesome flat.

From fake cash to drugs paraphernalia, the flat just outside Rochdale town centre had been causing a nuisance within the Falinge neighbourhood for five years.

Fighting, littering of needles, drugs wraps and foils and shouts of intimidation throughout the day and into the night had left the local community terrified.

Three of the occupants were led out of the Redcross Street flat in handcuffs, marking the success of the persistent work of Neighbourhood Inspector Meena Yasin, who had been knocking on dozens of nearby doors for weeks to build enough trust with residents for them to raise their issues concerning the property.

Following the arrests, a closure notice was issued and extended by the District Judge.

Home Secretary Suella Braverman witnessed the closure whilst on her visit to Rochdale.

All the evidence was then presented to the Judge the following week.

Described as an ‘exceptionally strong’ bundle of evidence by the magistrates’ court, a full closure order was subsequently granted, which means that the property will be closed for three months.

“Our communities tell us that tackling anti-social behaviour is important because it adversely impacts upon their ability to live their lives.

“The quality of life of law-abiding residents is important, and this closure order sends a clear message that we will listen – and we will act!”