Police action re concerns raised by residents & businesses

Concerns have been raised by local residents about drug use around Castlefield Bowl and the canal footpaths, particularly during evening hours. 

In response to these concerns PC Riaz has been taking positive action, focussing his daily foot patrols around this area and conducting stop searches on people believed to be in possession of illegal substances. Tonight this has resulted in a male being arrested for drug related offences, who has subsequently been charged with possession of class B.

There will continue to be a uniformed Police presence in the area so that we can keep taking positive action around the issues that are affecting local residents on a daily basis. Please feel free to approach these officers to raise any other concerns you may have.

These matters can also be reported via 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers.

On Tuesday 26th August 2025, at approximately 1420 hours, PC RIAZ and PC Gregory were conducting mobile patrols in the Castlefield area as part of routine city centre engagement and crime prevention activity.

During the patrol, officers received intelligence from a local retail premises reporting a suspected attempted theft. The store provided a description of a female who had entered the premises and attempted to remove items without payment, before leaving the scene. Shortly after, officers observed an individual matching the description on Quay Street and conducted a stop and search under Section 1 of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE).

During the search, officers recovered a small wrap containing a white, rocky substance suspected to be Class A controlled drug. The individual admitted possession of the substance and expressed remorse. Further checks revealed no recent drug-related offending and disclosed significant health vulnerabilities, including multiple brain injuries and a terminal illness.

Taking into account the individual’s circumstances, lack of recent offending, and cooperative behaviour, a decision was made to issue a Community Resolution, authorised by a senior officer. 

Officers remain committed to keeping Castlefield safe and responding to community concerns.