How a Community-Led Approach to Tackling ASB Transformed Rochdale’s Freehold Estate

In Rochdale’s Freehold estate, a new, community-led approach to policing and neighbourhood management is helping to reduce anti-social behaviour (ASB) and mitigate the influence of organised crime. Developed through collaboration between Greater Manchester Police (GMP), Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), and local residents, this initiative is rooted in listening to the community’s needs and prioritising safety in a way that strengthens, rather than disrupts, daily life. Working together with input and perspective from Andy Farrell from The National Police Chiefs Council in this article we will dive into the approach used and share insight into what it can mean for those working in ASB, Housing and Community Safety.

A Practical Approach Based on Community Insight

Traditionally, policing responses to ASB have relied heavily on crime data and public reporting. However, GMP has shifted to using professional judgement to identify specific crime hotspots on the Freehold estate. This approach acknowledges that the signs of organised crime and drug-related issues are often visible within the community, even if they’re not always documented in calls or reports. Residents commented that the issues were all there in plain sight at the time so reporting statistics shouldn’t be a catalyst for delivering change. By focusing on what is happening on the ground, police and local agencies have been able to address issues more effectively and in a way that feels relevant to residents.

Residents at the Heart of Decision-Making

At the core of this initiative is the goal to let residents determine what changes are needed. To achieve this, agencies dedicated over a year to door-to-door engagement, listening to residents’ concerns, and gathering their insights. This extensive consultation allowed police and housing officials to understand both the problems residents face and the improvements they wish to see. This approach ensures that changes align with the community’s priorities and needs rather than imposing solutions from the top down. There is a really important message here about understanding your community, not presuming to know what people want without speaking to them first and building trust through visible results.

Overcoming Barriers and Embracing Diversity

The Freehold estate is home to a diverse population, with 414 flats housing residents who speak 46 different languages. Partner agencies have made significant efforts to overcome language and cultural barriers to make sure everyone has the opportunity to share their views. This focus on inclusion has helped build trust and create a more comprehensive picture of the community’s needs.

Combining Enforcement with Environmental Improvements

To address ASB and crime in public spaces, a three-month “closure order” has been implemented. This order restricts access to open spaces, stairwells, and other communal areas for non-residents, giving police the authority to address loitering and other issues directly. To support these efforts, GMP’s “Design for Safety Team” collaborated with RBH architects and Rochdale Borough Council’s Place-based Team to make practical, physical improvements across the estate, with the goal of creating safer, more accessible spaces for residents. All of these interventions have been effectively communicated to residents, stakeholders and members of the public in order clarify what can and can’t be done, demonstrate proportionality and ensure compliance in relation to any equality issues.

Alongside physical changes, the local Housing Providers has enforced its tenancy agreement to ensure communal spaces remain safe and accessible. In cases where residents are involved in organised crime, authorities now have tools to address these issues in a way that protects the community.

Engaging Young People and Building for the Future

Local schools are key to the initiative’s ongoing success, and children and young people have been actively involved in discussions about the future of their open spaces. By listening to the perspectives of young residents, the initiative fosters a sense of ownership that can strengthen community bonds.

Supportive Housing Solutions for Victims of Crime

Another essential part of this approach is flexible rehousing support for victims of crime and those at risk of exploitation. This ensures that residents affected by organised crime have safe options and resources available, further helping to protect and stabilise the community.

Clear, Hold, Build: A Sustainable Approach to Neighbourhood Safety

This initiative is part of the Clear, Hold, Build framework, which focuses on clearing areas of criminal activity, maintaining a safe environment, and fostering long-term growth. Applied with care, this strategy is helping to restore Freehold as a safer, more resilient community where residents feel secure and supported. NPCC SOC Local lead, Detective Superintendent Andy Farrell said:

“Clear hold build uses an evidence-based approach to tackle the totality of harm within local communities. This has been applied within the freehold estate and assessed alongside professional judgment and the voice of the community. Tackling issues that matter to residents is fundamentally important. Adopting the innovative use of closure orders, the police and partners have been able to create safer spaces, allowing support services to assist the community and build confidence and trust. This is a really good example of collaborative working and the approach will be shared more widely across police and partnerships”