Simon Danczuk MP

Fighting for Rochdale, Littleborough and Milnrow

MP delighted as police make town centre a Christmas priority

Rochdale’s top cop has met with town centre traders to provide assurances that more police will be on the streets in the lead up to Christmas.

With local businesses gearing up for a crucial festive trading period, Chief Superintendent John O’Hare spent a recent Friday afternoon meeting local traders after being invited to do a town centre walkabout by Rochdale’s MP, Simon Danczuk.

The visit coincided with the launch of Operation Elf, an initiative to crackdown on anti-social behaviour in the town centre over the Christmas period and draft in more officers in anticipation of a busy shopping period.

Speaking afterwards, Mr Danczuk said he was impressed at the commitment of Chief Superintendent O’Hare towards the town centre and delighted that shoppers could expect a more visible police presence in the coming weeks.

 “Traders have told me they want to see more police in the town centre and I've pressed the police to commit more officers to the town," he said. "I was really pleased to see Chief Supt O’Hare go out of his way to visit many independent shops in our town to find out their concerns. He’s already committing more police to the town centre and it’s really important in the run in to Christmas that shoppers feel safe and see a strong police presence. We need to keep this up all year round to help breathe confidence back into our town centre and create the safest possible environment."