A Tale of Two Rochdales: Residents Allege Police Inaction and Political Apathy Fuel Community Decline

A growing sense of frustration and abandonment is palpable among some Rochdale residents, who describe a disturbing paradox at the heart of their community’s policing. They claim a system has emerged where law enforcement panders to the complaints of known harassers and abusers, while simultaneously allowing persistent, disruptive offenders to operate with impunity, creating a cycle of crime and fear.

This feeling of a two-tiered justice system is eroding public trust and leaving many feeling unprotected in their own homes. At the core of the grievance is the perception that the police are misallocating their resources. "It's endemic", one local source stated. "The police seem to react to the actions and complaints of actual, consistent harassers, while the people causing real, long-term problems are just released back onto the streets".

This revolving-door approach to justice means repeat offenders continue a string of crime and disruption that can span years, wearing down the resilience of entire neighbourhoods.

The situation is vividly illustrated by the testimony of one resident living in a multi-dwelling unit. They recount a near-constant presence of police cars and ambulances, all stemming from a single property within the building. The property, which is under the management of one of Rochdale's major housing associations, has reportedly been taken over by squatters. According to the resident, this has led to continuous law-breaking and disruption, turning a residential building into a constant source of emergency calls.

"You see the police and ambulances all the time", the resident explained. "It’s all connected to that one flat. But nothing ever changes. They deal with the immediate incident, and then it’s back to how it was. We are living with the consequences".

This specific case is seen by many as a symptom of a larger, systemic failure. Residents feel their complaints about quality of life and safety are being ignored not just by the police, but by the political figures elected to represent them.

Frustration is also directed towards the borough’s political leadership, who residents feel are not adequately addressing these deep-seated issues. Both Rochdale's Member of Parliament and Councillor Daniel Meredith, who holds the portfolio for housing, have been singled out for what locals describe as a lack of meaningful, long-term action. While authorities may handle individual incidents, the underlying problems of repeat offending, inadequate housing security, and anti-social behaviour are left to fester.

The cumulative effect is a community feeling besieged—not only by criminality but by a sense of official indifference. For many in Rochdale, the message feels clear: the grievances of law-abiding citizens are secondary, while the cycle of harassment and disruption is allowed to continue, unchecked and unaddressed.