Hello and welcome to this week's edition of the Denton and Reddish weekly news. 

I hope you've had a wonderful week. A reminder that tomorrow Denton West End Community Library will be hosting a coffee morning with cakes, crafts and children's activities. Scroll down to the community board to find out more!

In May, I'll be taking to the skies in a Wing Walk for 9-year old Florence. Florence has a rare life-limiting degenerative condition called #GM1. We're raising money for Florence and her family to make wonderful memories. If you can, please click below to donate.

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has backed calls for a safer internet environment for adults and young people.

Gwynne joined representatives from the UK Safer Internet Centre in Parliament last week to mark Safer Internet Day. From cyberbullying to social networking to digital identity, each year Safer Internet Day aims to raise awareness of emerging online issues and current concerns.

Gwynne has long-called for a safer internet environment, and recently met with representatives from Spotify to discuss online safety after a constituent of his became a victim of grooming on the music-streaming platform. Gwynne has urged the Government to ensure that the Online Safety Bill – currently making its way through Parliament – is sufficient tough enough to address online abuse on social media platforms.

The UK Safer Internet Centre is a global partnership which aims to make the internet safer for everyone. It provides various free resources for parents and young people. To find out more, click here.

Commenting, Andrew Gwynne said: 

“It was great to meet with the team at the UK Safer Internet Centre and discuss the really important issue of online safety.

The internet has transformed the way we work, socialise and learn. Unfortunately, it is being manipulated and abused, with children and young people often the victims.

It is the job of the Government to ensure that legislation is sufficiently adaptable and tough to clamp down on online abuse. But we also need to empower parents and young people to know how to stay safe online, which is why I’m so proud to back initiatives like Safer Internet Day.”

Pictured: Gwynne at the Safer Internet Day reception in Parliament.

Andrew Gwynne, MP for Denton and Reddish, has backed Labour’s plan to bring back neighbourhood policing, as statistics show a 47% cut to PCSOs across the North West.

The number of PCSOs in the North West has collapsed by almost 1,000 over the last ten years, a figure that Gwynne has branded as “shameful and dangerous”.

The most recent crime statistics show a 99% increase in knife crime since 2015 and a 48% increase in robbery in the North West.

Labour has pledged to bring back neighbourhood policing by putting 13,000 more neighbourhood police on Britain’s streets, including recruiting at least 10,000 more officers, PCSOs and specials.

Across the country, the number of PCSOs has halved since the Conservatives came to power in 2010. In the same period, the proportion of people saying they have never seen a police officer has doubled.

Andrew Gwynne said:

“The Tories have decimated neighbourhood policing, and local people are paying the price.

“We all deserve to feel safe where we live, but all too often I hear from local people who feel terrified in their own communities. Local police are doing their best, but Tory cuts have had a devastating impact.

“Labour’s plan would bring back neighbourhood policing, and clamp down on the crime that has skyrocketed over the last decade.”

Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper MP said:

“Knife crime has shot up putting young lives at risk, meanwhile antisocial behaviour is blighting town centres and local communities. But the neighbourhood police who could prevent crimes like this and support victims have disappeared.

“Labour has a serious plan to bring back neighbourhood policing, with a fully-funded package for 13,000 extra neighbourhood police on our streets.

“The last Labour government brought in neighbourhood policing, and now, after more than a decade of Tory neglect, we will restore it.”

A treat at Angelica's Tea Room 

A BIG thank you to Broadstone Mill Shopping Outlet for inviting me and Councillor Allison Gwynne to the official opening of Angelica’s Tea Room last weekend. 

All I can say is that if you’re over in Reddish it’s well worth popping into the Mill to sample their amazing savouries and cakes.

Good luck to this fantastic new business!

Parliament is currently in Recess but will return on Monday 📅 

  READ: A big thanks to the Tameside Reporter for covering my comments about Friends of the Tame Valley's fantastic community day. 

This group is doing some incredible things, and I'm so proud to play a part in it. Read the full piece here.

  READ: Thanks to the Tameside Correspondent for covering my Citizens' Award to Steven and Sue Muir. 

A real privilege to recognise these brilliant local heroes!

Read the full piece here.