Police campaign to tackle low risk offences

4:00pm Friday 16th May 2008

Comments (0)   Have your say »

POLICE want feedback from Sale residents about a campaign that will aim to tackle low risk offences.

The initiative, whose motto is it's time for more respect', will target those who let their dogs foul in public places, cycle on pavements, park on pavements or on yellow zig zags outside schools, drop litter or cause obstructions on the road.

Sale Neighbourhood Policing Team inspector, Brendan O'Brien, said: "All of the above are low risk offences that can lead to more serious, if not fatal, consequences. If a pavement is blocked it can lead to a partially-sighted person or parent with a pram having to step into the road, which could in turn cause a serious accident."

The notion for the scheme came after police said they were confident that levels of serious crime had been driven down. Insp O'Brien added: "We've been concentrating on lessening serious crime and now we're in a position where we can deal with other types of incident where people fail to treat others with respect and consideration. If you allow your dog to foul on the pavement, that is disrespecting the children who might step in or touch it."

After speaking to numerous community groups, police decided they would choose a ward to visit on a certain day, descend on it and anyone found committing the above offences would be issued Fixed Penalty Notices or dealt with accordingly. The dates for the visits will not be revealed to residents beforehand.

Insp O'Brien said: "We hope this will demonstrate our willingness to deal with these sorts of problems in a way that will make people think about the consequences of their actions and we want members of the public to tell us what they think."

To make you views known call police on 0161 856 7865, email brendan.o'brien@gmp.police.uk or visit www.messengernewspapers.co.uk