How police plan to tackle issues in Hyde

Police in Hyde have outlined how they plan to tackle issues in the area, in a live Q&A chat with local residents.

Officers from the Hyde, Newton, Hattersley and Longdendale neighbourhood teams answered questions in an online forum on Monday (10 August).

Sergeant Paul Suddons said more action will be taken to address groups of youths gathering at night at Peak Forest Canal on Dunkirk Lane and the car park as part of a special operation.

He said: “The Newton team are aware of this location and has been highlighted for further attention during Operation Sycamore, which targets locations as highlighted from intelligence and local neighbourhood knowledge. We wish to engage with young people but will be robust if required.”

Sergeant Suddons also confirmed that more face-to-face surgeries will be held again once Covid-19 restrictions are eased, and an additional neighbourhood beat officer will be joining the Newton team in September to “help with additional demands”.

He said that police are aware of the potential challenges posed by continued residential development in the Hyde area.

The officer added: “We will seek to work with the new developments and their communities. We need the assistance of the residents we serve.

“Neighbourhood Watch is a valuable tool and your local neighbourhood policing team will be looking to assist in the formulation of these. We are also working with our partners when problem solving matters that are not solely police orientated.”

The Newton neighbourhood team also said a “speed enforcement operation” is planned on Talbot Road in “the near future”, amid several reports that vehicles are racing up the road at high speed at all times of the day and night.

In another road issue, inspections of Heavy Goods Vehicles on Hyde Road, past Hattersley roundabout travelling towards Glossop, are planned. It follows concerns raised about the speed of trucks passing queues of traffic near the roundabout.

An officer said: “The police sadly have no power to restrict people’s movement including HGV drivers. The only way we could enforce anything is if they were committing specific road traffic offences – even so, unless they lost their licence we cannot restrict movement.

“However, I am aware that the road traffic unit are planning on HGV inspections past Hattersley roundabout on Hyde Road towards Glossop.”