Closure Order Disrupts Criminal Activity at Freehold Estate
- Officers in Greater Manchester restricted non-residents' access to the Freehold estate due to ongoing issues of drug dealing and intimidation.
- This closure order, in effect for three months starting November 4, 2024, targets public areas like stairwells and bridges across the estate.
- The initiative, part of a broader strategy, aims to enhance community safety and has been met with support from local residents.
In an unprecedented move, Greater Manchester Police enforced a new closure order at the Freehold estate in Rochdale, beginning on November 4, 2024. This order aims to restrict access to non-residents across all 19 blocks of the estate for three months, addressing complaints regarding drug dealing and intimidation reported by local residents. This initiative follows the tragic death of Awaab Ishak due to mold exposure, which intensified scrutiny on housing conditions in the area. The enforcement strategy is part of the 'Clear, Hold, Build' approach, intended to eliminate crime and restore community safety. Police officials assert that this legislation will empower them to remove criminals loitering around shared spaces while ensuring that law-abiding residents and their guests are unaffected. The collaboration with community stakeholders leads the police to believe that this proactive measure will significantly reduce antisocial behavior and improve the overall quality of life in Freehold.