ROC Centre - Radcliffe
Police report 51% reduction in ASB since ROC Centre opened
The ROC Centre commenced on 1st October 2011 when Redeeming Our Communities took over the community centre formally known as ‘The Y-Zone’ on Westminster Avenue in Radcliffe. There was a clear objective set for partnership working between the Police and ROC to tackle Anti-Social Behaviour within the community. Though the centre is geographically placed in the Radcliffe North area of Radcliffe, the workings of the project were intended to impact on the wider community of Radcliffe as a whole.
Our policing project was split into three phases. The first phase began on October 1st 2011 and ran until December 1st 2011. This saw members of the Neighbourhood Policing Team utilising the ROC Centre as a place to base their high visibility patrols around. Officers promoted the vision of the project to members of the surrounding community via newsletter drops, local press interviews and by holding daily surgeries at the Centre for residents to raise any concerns with Officers.
Phase Two ,from December 1st 2011- January 6th 2012, saw the introduction of the first diversionary activity. ROC Café takes place every Thursday between 6.30pm and 9pm. The centre is opened for those aged between 11-16 and provides a safe, controlled environment for youths to socialise as an alternative to hanging around on the street. The Café is supported by Officers from the NPT who actively promote the project in local schools and attend the event itself creating better relations between the Police and local youths. Since it’s opening 34 youths have registered at the Café.
Police surgeries remained a constant fixture and we found that members of the public were becoming more and more aware of the facility, with the number of visitors ever rising. We were given feedback from the public that they felt reassured being able to speak to an Officer each day at set times. By receiving more and more information we were able respond to reports made by taking action against perpetrators where appropriate.
Phase Three saw the introduction of the second diversionary activity, ROC Football. Funded by monies seized under the Proceeds of Crime ACT and donations from ROC Café Radcliffe, ROC Football runs every Friday evening between 6pm and 9pm. Youths aged between 11-16 attend Radcliffe Borough Football Club where 5-a-side football is provided and staffed by ROC volunteers and members of the NPT. In the first month we have taken a staggering 73 registrations from local youths. The workings of the previous two phases were now functioning very smoothly and combined with the new diversionary activity we saw the following results in relation to reported incidents.
- 51% decrease in anti-social behaviour
- 37% decrease in rowdy & inconsiderate behaviour
These most recent statistics are extremely encouraging, demonstrating that the workings of the project are coming together and having a dramatic impact on Anti-Social behaviour. The project has gained interest from outside Police Forces . We have had visits from a Chief Superintendent and Superintendent from Northern Ireland, Officers from Derbyshire Police and have been interviewed on film for Officers from Kent to see our workings.
We are extremely pleased by the workings of the ROC project thus far but are under no illusions that hard work and persistence is required to drive it forward and continue making a positive impact on the community. We have many new ideas and strategies to implement and I am confident that the months ahead will see the ROC project grow from strength to strength.
PC 16113 Mike Lupson
Radcliffe Neighbourhood Policing Team
If you would like to find out more about the ROC Centre follow us on Twitter @ROCCentre or Facebook.
For information on ROC Café Radcliffe follow us on Facebook.
To arrange a visit to the ROC Centre please contact Louise Williams on 0161 723 4906 or email.
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