Let’s make Bury safe for women and girls

Residents are invited to get help and advice at an event to promote women’s and girls’ safety in Bury town centre tomorrow (Friday 7 Oct).

A wide range of organisations will be raising awareness of this vitally important issue at a special partnership shop in the Mill Gate centre (next to B&M Bargains) from 10am to 6pm.

Among those attending will be Greater Manchester Police, as part of a day of action they are undertaking across Bury.

They will be joined by representatives from Bury Council, Six Town Housing, Early Breal, Foster Cares, Victims Services, Travel Safe, Supporting Sisters, FGRS Community Support Group, and Talk Listen Change.

Councillor Richard Gold, cabinet member for finance and communities, said: “The work of the Community Safety Partnership during the last three years has helped to maintain Bury’s position as one of the safest places to live in Greater Manchester.

“But we are not complacent, and the partnership is working to make Bury safe for all women and girls.

“I invite everyone to come along to the event at the Mill Gate tomorrow and meet the teams.”

People are also invited to talk about, and contribute to, a new Women and Girl’s Safety Action Plan - for more details, go to www.onecommunitybury.co.uk/women-and-girls-safety-plan.

Chief Inspector Samantha Goldie, of GMPs Bury District Neighbourhood Team, said: “In July of this year, GMP launched Operation Lioness, a night- time operation which saw patrols deployed to local town centres in Greater Manchester on the weekend, including Bury, looking out for predatory behaviour and ultimately working to keep women safe.

“The operation was a success, with a number of arrests made for offences such as stalking and harassment and assault, as well as working closely with licensed premises and our partner agencies to educate and inform on the topic of gender-based violence and how businesses can help.

“Although Op Lioness has now come to an end, we will be carrying on this work as part of our day-to-day business as a police force. Friday’s day of action aims to educate the public, specifically women who may be at risk of violence, on the fantastic support services available to them and we will be hosting a number of stalls in the area, so anyone can come and have a chat with us.”

ENDS

Press release issued: 6 October 2022.