Pupils at Broadfield Park Primary School have been hailed for their role in helping Greater Manchester Police tackle organised crime on the Freehold estate.
Young people from Years 2 to 6 have been meeting with officers every fortnight as part of the ‘Friends of Freehold’ initiative, a child-focused strand of Operation Affect. The programme aims to boost safety and community confidence on the estate, which has struggled with gang activity and anti-social behaviour.
Run by the local Neighbourhood Policing Team, Operation Affect launched in November 2023 to disrupt organised crime and build long-term resilience. As part of this work, the school invited Inspector Meena Yasin to speak with pupils about a major breakthrough for the community, the largest closure order in Greater Manchester Police’s history.
Covering the entire Freehold estate, the November 2024 closure order has prevented access to stairwells linked to drug crime and anti-social behaviour. Children were given the chance to question Inspector Yasin directly, asking what the changes meant for their families. She described the visit as “a lovely and productive day” and praised the pupils’ “curiosity, questions, and creativity”.
GMP said the school’s involvement shows the wider impact of its work. Officers have held regular sessions on policing, safety and violence reduction, using age-appropriate discussions to empower children and encourage early community engagement.
Operation Affect follows a national ‘Clear, Hold, Build’ model. Criminality is removed, neighbourhoods are held with visible policing, and communities are rebuilt through positive activities such as DJ workshops and hair and beauty sessions. The initiative has focused on practical problem-solving, tackling not just crime but wider issues such as drug misuse and lack of opportunities.
The force also hosted a celebration at the school to thank the children for their contribution. Officers presented goodie bags and trophies while pupils shared a heartfelt poem in support of Operation Affect. GMP said the moment showed just how deeply the message was resonating with the next generation.
Inspector Yasin said: “Their questions and the poem they wrote show just how much they care about their neighbourhood. They’re the future of Freehold, and this partnership is helping build trust and pride in the area.”
The initiative has been praised nationally by the National Police Chiefs’ Council, who called it one of the leading examples of community policing in the country.
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