Rochdale North Neighbourhood Officers have issued Community Protection Warnings (CPW) to two males after officers found them begging in the central reservation area of St Marys Gate Rochdale. The CPWs have conditions which prohibit begging / sitting / standing at this location and putting road users at danger. The males were also moved on from the area.

This location is a 40mph road and is busy at all times of day and night and it is therefore very unsafe for these individuals to be carrying out these activities as well as causing a distraction to motorists. We have had many complaints from members of the public who feel alarmed when they see these activities taking place. 

If the males breach the CPWs they will be issued with a Community Protection Notice (CPN) and any further breaches will lead to them being arrested and charged and put before the courts. There is lots of partnership engagement with people who are begging at these locations to try and support them with any vulnerabilities they may have.

I can also reassure people that neither of the males are sleeping rough and both were served the CPWs at their places of residence. Please don't give money to people who are begging in these areas as it is often used to pay for drugs and is therefore indirectly fuelling organised crime. Please consider donations to charities instead.  

I appreciate that we are still seeing these issues at St Marys Gate and Edinburgh Way in particular but we hope that a recent increase in enforcement will help us reduce the issues going forward - Sgt Walsh - Rochdale North Neighbourhood.