Standing strong against crime in our communities

First Choice Homes Oldham has worked with Greater Manchester Police recently to issue notices seeking the eviction of four customers following their alleged involvement in criminal activity. 

ASB Officer Imran Majid accompanied Police Constables William Loughran and Kyle Cashman as they visited addresses in Coldhurst, St Mary’s and Glodwick to serve the notices, which begin the process of recovering the properties. 

Three of the notices relate to drug possession and supply, while the fourth concerns a breach of a court order. 

These matters came to light as part of Operation Vulcan’s ongoing crime‑reduction activity in Derker. 

Separately, an anti-social behaviour warning letter was issued to a customer in Coldhurst after they used threatening and abusive behaviour that caused harassment, alarm or distress. 

Chief Executive, Mark Gifford said: “Taking legal action is always our last resort, but when we’ve decided to it is vital we move quickly to seek the eviction of those who take part in criminality in our communities and delivering these notices is the latest part of the process and, importantly, demonstrate we are very serious about tackling crimes like drug dealing. 

“Our communities must have confidence we are doing all we can to eliminate this unacceptable behaviour in our properties in partnership with Greater Manchester Police and other agencies. 

“There is a legal process and ultimately it will be up to a court to decide if we can evict these tenants. But I can assure everyone FCHO will be putting together compelling cases based on evidence from the police and our own staff ahead of the court hearings." 

He added: “We work within the law and with the law to make it absolutely clear to those who want to use our properties for crime that we will not tolerate it and those who do so run a very grave risk of losing their homes.”   

The notices to seek possession were delivered to addresses in Bessemer Street, Coldhurst, for the supply of Class B drugs, at Trajan House, St Mary’s and Sunfield Road, Coldhurst for possession with intent to supply and at Welfold House Glodwick for a breach of a court order. 

The ASB warning letter was delivered to an address in Ammon Wrigley Close, St Mary’s. 

We have issued 18 notices to seek possession of properties since Operation Vulcan started in March this year. More are expected.