Rochdale Housing Estate Imposes Non-Resident Ban to Combat Drug Activity

A prohibition has been placed on individuals who do not reside at a particular housing estate, preventing them from congregating there due to persistent issues with drug trafficking and disruptive conduct. This measure, effective for a period of three months, involves a police directive to close 19 residential buildings within Rochdale’s Freehold estate to those who are not residents. Greater Manchester Police (GMP) stated its objective was to prevent offenders from accessing a locality that has experienced “incessant drug dealing” and the harassment of its inhabitants. This initiative marks the force’s inaugural implementation of an Open Space Closure Order Zone, which prohibits non-residents from assembling close to the apartment blocks’ staircases, common areas, connecting walkways, and waste disposal points. Since December, GMP reported having conducted 40 arrests within the vicinity, alongside the confiscation of narcotics, currency, and armaments. Additionally, residential units have undergone repossession, and tenants causing issues have been removed. Inspector Meena Yasin commented that the recently established closure zone represents a “revolutionary way (of using existing laws) to protect our communities in the place they call home”. She further stated: “If we identify people who are entering the neighbourhood without permission or to commit crime, we can arrest and remove them.” GMP indicated that its actions were initiated subsequent to comprehensive discussions with both the local populace and Rochdale Boroughwide Housing. The police force announced that patrols would be intensified around the clock to assist in the enforcement of these new closure zones. A spokesperson affirmed that the legitimate daily routines of residents would remain undisturbed. Instead, officers “will be able to more effectively remove criminals who are loitering in the stairwells or public spaces, committing crime or anti-social behaviour”. Samir Ali, a resident of the Freehold estate for 14 years, expressed approval for the intensified enforcement, though he noted that the estate had shown signs of improvement in recent times. He remarked: “There used to be riots and all that around here,” and further stated that the area had improved “because it’s now a more mixed community and people have no trouble walking about”. An anonymous individual informed BBC Radio Manchester that the social housing development was “not as bad people think”. He added: “But there are certain people who do hang out in groups and sell drugs around here.” “It’s not really safe living around here , but police are trying their absolute best.” Alex Kanda, who has resided in the Freehold for ten years, indicated that conditions had improved from his perspective. The 62-year-old stated: “It’s better now because it’s getting quieter, at night you couldn’t sleep for the noise, people shouting and swearing late at night, guys being drunk, but now we sleep well.”