Residents are "fearful and scared to go out" due to violence on an estate where buildings are damaged in the "crossfire", and it is claimed it is only a matter of time before someone is killed.
Despite it being a sunny day in the school holidays, there is nobody about on the Alkrington Moss estate on the outskirts of Middleton, north Manchester. A new playground is empty with worried people saying that the area has become plagued by anti-social behaviour and drug dealing gangs.
Last month, an armed gang wearing balaclavas descended on the estate before smashing up a block of flats. Cllr Dylan Williams viewed CCTV of the incident and reported seeing three vehicles pull up before 16 men arrived on the scene with "axes, spades, machetes, and other weapons".
It is the latest in a string of violent incidents with two men arrested in May, after another person was left with serious injuries. It also came on the back of three people being injured in a stabbing. Following that incident, a mum said her young son has been affected ever since seeing blood splattered on the ground.
Residents say they are living in fear (MEN MEDIA)"He has been quiet since then," the woman said. "He won't play out or walk home from school. It's horrible. I don't feel safe here. The door is always locked." Cllr Williams said the situation was only getting worse: "People are fearful and scared at the minute. There is obviously serious stuff going on because there are all these incidents.
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"The police say they are isolated, and they are, but they are that frequent that other residents are getting their homes damaged in the crossfire. There are a lot of people who work, a lot of elderly people and a lot of families with young children on the estate. The majority of people are good, it's a small minority that are causing misery. If serious action isn't taken then it's a ticking time bomb. It won't be long before an innocent person is killed."
The same concerns have been echoed by other residents, many of whom asked not to be named. One man, who has lived on the estate for 20 years, described the estate as a 2mini Moss Side", reported the Manchester Evening News. He said: "It's turning into an inner city area. There are drug dealers pulling up outside the shop.
Police parked at the Alkrington Moss estate (MEN MEDIA)"Windows are going through left, right and centre. A few months back there were people trying to break into my flat at three in the morning. I've called the police a number of times but they have never come out. The majority of people are living in fear. Crime on the estate is just becoming the norm.
"I'm scared to go to the shop. I wouldn't dare go up there at night now. A mate of mine was going to the shop at night and some youths stabbed him in the kneecap." The man said the situation had become so bad that he wanted to "escape" the area.
"I'm desperate to get away but I'm stuck," he said. "It's a horrible situation to be in. I would rather live in a caravan in a field." Another woman said she too was looking to move as groups of youths regularly congregate in the stairwell outside her flat.
There has been a spate of violent incidents on the estate (MEN MEDIA)"I'm fearful walking out of the front door," she said. "I open the door and listen to see if there is anyone in the hallway. I don't feel safe walking along the street at night." One woman, who lives just yards from the block of flats that was smashed up last month, called on Rochdale Boroughwide Housing - which owns many properties on the estate - to 'vet' residents before they move in.
"All of our block is privately-owned," she said. "With stuff like this happening, the house value is going to crash. We can't go anywhere, we're stuck. There are a lot of good people on this estate. People are trying to make it nice but we have just got these few that need to be found and managed."
The lack of investment has led to Alkrington Moss becoming a "forgotten estate", Cllr Williams believes. "The estate needs funding," he added. "What I would love to see is some community facilities and the estate to have a revamp."
Inspector Jenny Partington, of GMP’s Rochdale district, said: “We are fully investigating all of the issues raised, but it is not believed that the incidents described are connected at this time. We are hugely assisted by accurate and timely reporting of criminal activity and anti-social behaviour, as it allows us to listen to our communities, understand their needs, and adopt a problem-solving approach to tackling those who cause harm.
"Since the latest incident, a multi-agency meeting including Cllr Williams and partner agencies has been held to discuss the action and activity to be taken by all moving forward. GMP will continue to work alongside key partners and the community, supporting with additional resources in the area to ensure a high visibility presence to provide reassurance to the residents.
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A spokesperson for Rochdale Boroughwide Housing said: "We believe Alkrington is a good place to live. We're working closely with our partners at Rochdale Borough Council and Greater Manchester Police, as well as with other housing providers, to respond to any concerns expressed by residents.
"We know that the recent incidents, although isolated, have understandably caused alarm for local people. Residents should call the police to report any crime, and they can also report anti-social behaviour directly to the RBH team. We will work with the Police and the Council to act on any reports of anti-social behaviour that affect RBH homes, and we provide support to residents who need it."
A spokesperson for Rochdale Council said “The council is aware of concerns raised. We have already taken action using the council's antisocial behaviour's powers and are discussing ongoing concerns with the housing provider and GMP.”
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