Greater Manchester Police (GMP) is “not aware” of crime hotspots around Salford Foyer despite complaints from residents. Some people living around the site, which is on Lower Seedley Road, have said there has been anti-social behaviour from the site for 30 years, including drug use and theft. GMP told the Local Democracy Reporting Service it is not aware of specific hotspots being reported, but its team is contacting key partners to gather more information. It added that patrols are in place around the area which has seen a “positive response” in reducing any related or perceived anti-social behaviour. Councillor Andrew Walters said residents who live near the site are unhappy due to a number of problems. Salford Foyer recently gained planning permission to expand its accommodation offer, which saw residents attend a council meeting and raise concerns about crime in the area. Mr Walters said: “Residents have specific issues such as anti-social behaviour and drug abuse that is not being dealt with. They are very unhappy and I know there is a lot of NIMBY-ism around but I don’t think this is the case here. “There are serious concerns as to how we deal with this.” Places for People, which manages the site, said there has only been once incident in the last year involving police which impacted the community. A spokesperson said: “Salford Foyer is such an important service for young people who have fallen on difficult times, with nowhere to call home, and they just need some help to get back on their feet. “We are based in the centre of Salford, close to the shopping centre, and as such crime and anti-social behaviour is something we have to contend with. “However, in the last year there has only been one incident connected to Salford Foyer involving the police which impacted the community, when we had complaints about a revved engine and music waking people up. “We work closely with local PCSOs all year round to ensure any incidents like this are managed and kept to a minimum.” Salford Foyer has supported 53 young people over the past two years to help them move into their own homes. Places for People said planning permission for more accommodation at the site will them it to “support even more young people” who are homeless. Councillor Philip Cusack said: “Salford Foyer has been there for nearly 30 years, it helps people get into jobs and it does a great job in the community in an area of great need. “The police don’t consider that the Foyer and the immediate area is a criminal hotspot, there have been 40 incidents since last August, but most of them related to people missing from the home. The police have assured me that they will continue to monitor the area. “What I’m worried about is stigmatising residents at the Foyer, this is a service that is much needed in the city, we stigmatise things like that at our peril.”
