Deansgate Labour Your voice in Manchester City Centre
We are aware of recent criminal incidents in Castlefield that have worried residents. The 3 Deansgate Ward Councillors all live in Deansgate, and Marcus and Joan live in Castlefield: we too are concerned, both as your representatives and as residents. Castlefield is generally a safe and welcoming place. Recent events are disturbing to all residents who have a right to a safe and friendly community.
To help to reassure residents and work with GMP for action, we are meeting with neighbourhood forums and GMP to discuss the situation as soon as possible. As attendees at the Castlefield Forum will know, we have been working to improve lighting in parts of Castlefield which should help with safety in some areas.
The police are taking action, stepping up patrols in the area–and deliberately not all of this is visible activity. GMP have said that there will be an increased police presence in the area to send a message to potential offenders that this behaviour and crime will not be tolerated.
We are proud of the community’s response to recent events and would like to thank those involved in the community. For example, coming together as a group to help one another feel safer using a Whatsapp group.
We have a good relationship with local GMP officers of all ranks and our partnership involves listening to each other on various issues. With GMP, we reinforce your views, provide background information on the impact of crime on our residents, quickly and often, and we listen to GMP’s views and the challenges they face. We are trying to organising a public meeting where residents will be able to speak to GMP and Ward Councillors directly to share the collective voice of Castlefield residents and to receive answers to your questions about current crime levels and responses. We’ll post details once it is arranged.