Freehold woman evicted after home became hub for drug dealing and assaults

Thursday, 7 August 2025 10:04

By David Murphy

Rochdale Borough Housing has evicted a tenant from a Freehold flat after it became a centre for anti-social behaviour, assaults and drug activity

Rochdale Borough Housing (RBH) has removed a tenant from her home in Freehold following repeated complaints of drug dealing, property damage, and violence affecting nearby residents.

Sarah Martingale, 56, was evicted this week from 44 Conisborough after RBH secured a full possession order with the support of Greater Manchester Police. The eviction follows months of escalating criminal and anti-social behaviour connected to the property, which had become a hotspot for drug-related activity under Operation Affect.

Reports to GMP and RBH last year detailed multiple visitors entering the flat, some of whom were accused of attacking neighbours and vandalising surrounding property. The situation created an atmosphere of fear across the estate, with many residents unwilling to speak out publicly due to concerns for their safety.

RBH and GMP teams worked extensively to gather evidence without relying on witness testimony, which led to temporary closure of the flat in 2024 to stop access by known criminals. Despite numerous engagement efforts and referrals to support services, Martingale failed to change her behaviour, and disturbances continued.

Hayley Stockham, RBH’s Director of Neighbourhood Services, thanked staff and police for their persistence: “I hope the affected residents can now live without fear. We are committed to making Freehold a safe and welcoming place and will take firm action against any customer who believes this kind of behaviour is acceptable.”

This is the second RBH eviction in recent weeks involving drug-related activity. Another tenant was removed from a property in Angel Meadow, Heywood, following incidents of substance misuse and homophobic abuse.

Inspector Meena Yasin of GMP reaffirmed police commitment to tackling crime on the estate: “We are actively using all available powers to make Freehold safer. Our officers are working closely with community groups to strengthen local trust and deliver long-term solutions that reflect residents’ needs.”

Residents are encouraged to report anti-social behaviour in confidence to either GMP or RBH.

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