Security firm in 'troubled' area

Tony Eccles says the gangs are ruining his business

A private security firm has been drafted in to tackle anti-social behaviour on a Greater Manchester housing estate.

Tameside Council is paying £200 a week for security workers to patrol the streets of Dukinfield taking photographs and gathering evidence.

Councillor John Taylor said "it was money well spent" and it allowed the police to deal with "real criminals".

However, it has been criticised as a waste of taxpayers' cash.

'Loutish behaviour'

Tony Eccles, a fish and chip shop owner on Armadale Road, part of the targeted area, said he had seen three men wearing suits patrolling the nearby streets. He said if they stopped the gangs it could only be a good thing.

He said: "We have had a lot of trouble, especially after 1600 GMT, gangs hang out outside the shop, with their loutish behaviour, they put off my customers.

The fact they are paying extra for this firm just shows that community safety has reached rock bottom Councillor John Bell

"What is very disconcerting is the smell of urine when I open the shutters on a morning, that is disgusting."

The security staff are being employed to gather evidence, for example to compile a dossier for an Anti-social behaviour order (Asbo) or to escort gangs of troublesome teenagers home. They have no powers of arrest.

However, Councillor John Bell, leader of the Conservative Party, which is in opposition to the council, said "it was a terrible idea".

He said: "It is undermining the work of the police and the community support officers who patrol our streets.

"These private security workers have no powers of arrest so what is the point of them? "The fact they are paying extra for this firm just shows that community safety has reached rock bottom."