Hundreds of CBOs active across Greater Manchester as officers crack down on ASB
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) has been actively using Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) to combat persistent criminality and anti-social behaviour (ASB) across the region. Since April 2023, 565 CBOs have been issued, targeting repeat offenders involved in crimes like shoplifting and ASB. Breaching a CBO is a criminal offence, punishable by imprisonment, fines, or community service. Specific examples include bans from retail areas, bus stations, and town centres, with some orders lasting indefinitely. GMP highlights the effectiveness of CBOs in deterring crime and protecting communities.
Greater Manchester Police have issued 565 Criminal Behaviour Orders since April 2023 to block repeat offenders from town-centres, shops and bus stations, the force disclosed today.
The civil orders, which can last months or indefinitely, target convicted shoplifters and anti-social behaviour offenders by naming no-go areas, specific stores or entire retail chains. Breaching a CBO is itself a criminal offence carrying arrest, fines, community service or imprisonment.
Chief Superintendent John-Paul Ruffle, from GMP’s Force Prevention Branch, said:
“CBOs are a valuable tool to fight crime across Greater Manchester, ensuring that offenders are starved of the areas in which they operate and cause a persistent nuisance to people’s lives.
”The breach of one of the orders can result in an arrest and even imprisonment, which acts as a deterrent to those who think they can cause harm and issues whenever they feel like they want to.”
Among the active orders:
- Jason Wadsworth, 28, of Bolton, is barred from Brackley Street in Farnworth and 14 named stores in Farnworth and Kearsley until January 2028 after repeated retail crime.
- Carol Fahy, 56, of Wigan, is banned from every TfGM bus station in Greater Manchester until November 2026 following anti-social behaviour reports; she may still use ordinary bus stops.
- Faisal Iqbal Mohammad, 42, of Tameside, received a lifetime exclusion from Ashton-under-Lyne town centre until 31 December 2099 for shoplifting, theft and burglary; he can enter briefly for pre-arranged medical or legal appointments.
- Kelsey Atwell, 19, of Stockport, is prohibited from the town centre and 17 named stores until April 2027; she was jailed in May 2024 for breaching the order.
Neighbourhood teams review the orders regularly and town-centre officers alone have issued dozens this year, including 37 in Oldham aimed at stopping persistent shoplifting and anti-social behaviour.
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