In a small town nestled in the heart of the country, a plague of drug dealers has taken hold. This town, once a peaceful and safe community, now finds itself at the center of a growing drug trade. The dealers, operating with brazen impunity, have left locals living in fear for their safety and the safety of their loved ones. In response, residents have been forced to take drastic action to combat the growing problem. So, what led to this situation, and what is being done to combat this wave of criminal activity? This article will explore the situation inside this crime-ridden town and the measures being taken to bring an end to the drug trade that has taken hold.
The small town of Oldham, located in Greater Manchester, may appear picturesque with its old church, shopping complex, and Odeon cinema housed in a Grade II listed town hall. However, the town has been named as one of the five neighbourhood crime hotspots in England and Wales, with locals suffering from terrifying levels of anti-social behaviour. These issues have led to drastic, self-imposed curfews in some areas of the town, as people try to avoid being at the mercy of gangs and drug dealers.
Think tank Onward released a report this year identifying Oldham as a left-behind area where tackling anti-social behaviour is crucial. Despite efforts to revamp the high street and introduce a new tram service in 2014, residents report that gangs of youths congregate day and night due to a lack of things to do in the suburbs. Users of the tram service report feeling unsafe, with some reluctant to use it at night.
One resident, Samantha Jones, 50, who works as an engagement worker on the outskirts of the town, claims that the council is spending money on the wrong areas. Coldhurst, where Samantha lives, is the area with the highest level of child poverty in Greater Manchester. Approximately 64% of children in the area live in homes with an income over 60% lower than the average. The area has a large Bangladeshi and Pakistani community who initially arrived in the UK in the 1960s to work in the town’s thriving textile industry.
However, the decline of the textile industry has had devastating consequences for Coldhurst. The area lacks community spirit and services, with only a few corner shops servicing the sprawling estate. Samantha believes that levelling up is pointless if the council cannot even provide heating for the area’s residents. She claims that many long-time residents are leaving the area without being replaced by stable families. Samantha, like other residents, is scared to be outside at night due to the amount of drugs and gangs in the area.
Retired couple Edith, 70, and Melvyn Walworth, 74, experienced the decline of the town and the area over the years. Edith says that the council is spending money on upgrading the town centre while ignoring the needs of people who live in the area. In the past, the area had five pubs, but there is no cafe, meeting place, or pride in the community nowadays.
Aside from anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and rubbish are major issues plaguing the area. Agricultural department council workers regularly have to clear litter before they can work. Volunteer groups play a significant role in cleaning up the area.
Some charitably-run amenities, such as Mahdlo, are available for children aged eight and above, but there is a lack of provision for younger children. A mother of six notes that there are no activities for younger children, which may contribute to their inclination to hang around and join gangs.
A 16-year-old living in Limeside, one of the town’s populous housing estates, notes that many young people see crime as their only way out of the town’s issues. The problems are evident, and the solutions required are not only monetary. The council needs to address the problems of anti-social behaviour, poverty, and deprivation that plague the area, potentially leading to the gradual revival of Oldham.
