Two notorious hotspots for anti-social behaviour are set to benefit from an increased police presence.
Two new police 'posts' have been opened in Tameside by Greater Manchester Police and Tameside Council - at Ashton Market Hall and Ryecroft Hall, in Audenshaw.
The new sites will provide officers and PCSOs with a base so they can spend more time in the community, although they are not open to the public in the same way as a police station.
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The 'posts' have been set up to tackle any issues that arise in two locations which have seen repeated episodes of anti-social behaviour.
Ch Insp Lee Broadstock, responsible for neighbourhood policing in Tameside, said: ”The new police posts provided through our strong partnership with Tameside Council will increase the visibility and accessibility of our local policing teams in Ashton town centre and Audenshaw, re-enforcing Greater Manchester Police's commitment to our neighbourhood policing service.”
It's hoped the new base in Ashton will provide some reassurance to the community in a location that has been plagued by anti-social behaviour and crime.
Knife crime, drug activity, and drunk and disorderly behaviour are all issues that GMP has been keen to clamp down on in the town centre in recent months, after a spike in incidents following the end of lockdown restrictions.
The outdoor market area is a particularly notorious hotspot for issues - such as the fire which took place at the stalls in September.
The Manchester Evening News understands a group of youths had been gathering at the outdoor market stalls in Ashton town centre on the evening of September 6.
A woman was arrested in connection with the incident a fortnight later, and was released pending further investigation. She was not believed to be the only perpetrator.
Coun Allison Gwynne, Tameside Council executive member responsible for community safety, said: "There have been concerns expressed about anti-social behaviour from a minority of individuals and the new police posts are just one in a number of steps we are taking to address this.
"The posts should help to provide further visible police presence in these locations and increase community reassurance."
Both GMP and Tameside Council will be hoping to see similar success from the new town centre post as they did during a day of action with Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service last Tuesday.
Officers maintained a strong presence in the town centre throughout the day, leading to 10 arrests for offences including theft, possession of drugs and breach of criminal behaviour order.
Police recorded a 95% reduction in anti-social behaviour calls in Tameside on the day.
Meanwhile, Ryecroft Hall was the target of 'quite regular' anti-social behaviour during the summer months, with youths spotted climbing onto the roof of the Grade II-listed building back in August.
Residents have also reported frequent anti-social behaviour on the surrounding park on social media, along with plants being ripped up and slate tiles being thrown.
In a post on his Facebook page, Audenshaw councillor Oliver Ryan added: "The new post will mean a more visible police presence around Audenshaw as our local police will be based there, and this will go some way to tackling anti-social behaviour around the hall, our important civic building."
Ashton Police Station remains open to the public from 8am to 8pm on weekdays, and from 10am to 6pm on weekends and bank holidays.
