A NEW network of Neighbourhood Crime Watch co-ordinators is spreading across Greenfield as a determined group plays their part in protecting the community.
Lee Hudson launched the Greenfield Neighbourhood Crime Watch Group on Facebook in 2017 with the aim of raising awareness in the village of criminal activity going on.
The group rapidly expanded to include more than 800 members and is now officially registered with the Neighbourhood Crime Watch scheme, formerly known as Homewatch.
Already nearly 40 street co-ordinators have signed up across the village to help be the eyes and ears on the ground, with more encouraged to join their ranks.
Co-ordinators will receive window stickers and Oldham Homewatch Association (OHWA) will fit lamppost signs on their streets to indicate the scheme is active in the area.
A recent meeting saw around 50 residents and business owners from Greenfield gather at The Royal George on Manchester Road to hear more about the initiative.
Lee told them: “We’re looking to increase vigilance, deter criminal activity and communicate better with each other.
“We need street representatives to champion their area and help keep people updated, especially those who are not on social media or email.
“We want every street in Greenfield to be involved, with ideally one co-ordinator per 15 homes.”
Lee added: “Crime in Greenfield isn’t that bad. We are aware of it as it is our community but it isn’t that bad, apart from a few instances.
“The numbers are going down and up to September 2016 crimes were at their lowest in Greenfield since 2014.”
Lee said the group is restricted to Greenfield so it can maintain focus and impetus but they will work with other areas to share information and help.
He highlighted some success the Facebook group had recently when members shared messages about a group of suspicious individuals who were scouring the area.
They were lurking around looking over fences and gates before they broke into a garage and stole a bike.
However, a member of the Facebook group reported it to the police who arrived in minutes and the thieves fled, leaving the bike behind.
But PC Lee Cullen and Sergeant Neil Barker who were present at the meeting warned of the dangers of social media as pictures posted on there may not be used as evidence in court.
Sgt Barker said: “Some many people look at social media and will recognise pictures and come forward to identify people so it can be helpful.
“But if someone is wrongly identified there are consequences to that and also we can’t always use pictures from social media as evidence.
“There is a certain way evidence has to be gathered and presented, and social media is outside that scope.”
They recommended people take pictures if they see a crime but just send them to the police rather than posting it on social media.
PC Cullen added: “In Greenfield, it is mainly opportunist thieves coming around during the day looking to break in and take the things you have worked hard for.
“You can help prevent crime by looking after your property and car and making it uncomfortable for offenders to come into the area, so they will go elsewhere.”
PC Cullen also announced they are working with a new team of Street Pastors who will be in Greenfield and Uppermill in the new year.
They will be engaging with young people who might be hanging around on the streets in an attempt to reduce anti-social behaviour in the area.
Shirley Holt, who has been chair of Oldham Homewatch for over 30 years, told the meeting about the organisation’s work across the borough, encouraging groups to work together.
She said Homewatch aims to work with police to deter thieves and vandals and establish a spirit of co-operation and community.
They also look out for more vulnerable members of the community, as well as share information on scams, counter terrorism, child sex protection and human trafficking.
“Police services are stretched to the core. When I started it was nothing like this,” she said
“But as a community we need to support them as much as we can and work together.”
And Joe Wheeler explained his idea behind organising a meeting at the Civic Hall in Uppermill to spread the initiative into other villages.
“I just want to help look after our area,” he said. “I’ve seen some of the vigilante comments on social media but that’s not the way to do it.
“We need to talk to each other about issues and how we can help prevent crime in our area. The more people involved, the better.”
• People wishing to become a Greenfield Neighbourhood Crime Watch co-ordinator or find out more can contact Lee Hudson via their Facebook group.
• The next meeting of Saddleworth Homewatch takes place on Wednesday, December 12 at 7.45pm at Uppermill Conservative Club.
• Have you spotted an incident you need to report to the police? In a non-emergency call 101 or in an emergency call 999. Also contact them through their website: www.gmp.police.uk
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