ROGUE scrap metal dealers and taxi drivers taking rubbish to the tip illegally were among those targeted in a week-long police crackdown in Great Lever.

Police worked alongside the council and other partners after drawing up a shortlist of things that had concerned people in the area.

As well as visiting rubbish tips and scrap yards, officers checked in on shops to ensure they were properly licensed and patrolled known anti-social behaviour hotspots.

One six-year-old boy was found walking to the shop on his own, and police took him home and referred his mother to social services.

Sgt Andrea Ennis, who led the week of action, said it had been "excellent" and said working with other agencies was essential given the financial pressures on neighbourhood police teams.

On Monday, officers were at Raikes Lane recycling centre with VOSA and the DWP inspecting scrap metal dealers, and said those who obeyed the rules appreciated their efforts to root out rogue dealers.

Two vehicles were seized for being uninsured, while one man was arrested after refusing to provide the correct details to police.

The following day they went to the Viridor tip and discovered some taxi drivers were being paid to carry commercial waste to the tip, despite being licensed only to carry passengers.

This issue had been complained about to police and several taxis were caught taking commercial waste to the tip on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, police had street surgeries and knocked on doors throughout Great Lever, listening to concerns.

The following day, they assisted licensing officers with visits to businesses, and found one recently-opened shop trading alcohol without a licence.

They also helped enforcement officers advise shops on how to deal with waste, with some piling rubbish up in unsuitable areas.

Later, officers patrolled hotspot areas and were shocked when the six-year-old boy in pyjamas wandered past their van, 300 yards from home.

On Friday, police carried out spot-checks on drivers in Manchester Road, pulling a couple over for not wearing seat belts or using a phone at the wheel.

Sgt Ennis said: "It has been excellent week for tackling things together in Great Lever.

"The message as well is that this work will continue periodically. We are not taking our eye off the ball now the week is over.

"This was about neighbourhood policing teams and PCSOs working together with partner agencies to solve long-term problems.

"We have to transform what we do and how we work so that we can overcome these financial challenges and become a more efficient police service that meets the needs of people living in, working in and visiting Great Lever."

For help or advice in setting up a residents association or neighbourhood watch scheme, please contact the Great Lever Neighbourhood Policing Team on 0161 8565619.

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