Musical fun day leaves Respect on a high note

A pioneering scheme to tackle low level crime and anti social behaviour is running in Northenden this week.

Manchester City Council and Greater Manchester Police have joined forces with other partners to organise a series of Respect Action Weeks throughout the city. During the weeks the council, police and the community work together to reduce crime, tackle anti social behaviour and support local residents working to improve their environment.

One of the highlights of the Northenden Respect Action Week will be family fun day at Rack House Primary School on Yarmouth Drive on Saturday 16th February. The event will begin at 11am and will have a High School The Musical theme with dance workshops running between 11.30 and 1pm. There will also be a 5-aside football competition, a children's entertainer, free food and refreshment and a beauty salon.

Police officers will be at the event handing out free security products and offering crime prevention advice. The NHS Healthy Living Team will be making alcohol free cocktails and there will be advice available on how to give up smoking.

Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, Councillor Jim Battle, said: "Respect Action Weeks are about police, council and communities working together. By joining forces we have shown what impressive results can be achieved. The Respect Action Weeks also give communities the support they need to carry on the good work."

Inspector Kevin Marriott head of Northenden, Brooklands and Baguley's Neighbourhood Policing Team said: "Neighbourhood police officers have been busy over the last week working with the Council and Parkway Green Housing Trust to target nuisance biking, anti-social behaviour, underage drinkers and drug dealing.

"This Sunday (17 February) we are inviting residents in Northenden to meet with us at Northenden Library between 12 noon and 2pm to discuss the community safety issues that concern them and to help us to set local policing priorities.

"On Monday (18 February) we will be spending the day advising students at City College on how they can keep themselves, their friends and their valuables safe from criminals.

"We are determined to make Northenden a safe and pleasant place for people to live, work and visit and look forward to continuing to work with our partners to this end."

More information about the Respect Action Week programme can be found at http://www.makingmanchestersafer.com/

Media contact:

Sally Wheatman, Tel: 0161 234 4045