Cheshire Police's success in using diversionary tactics to stop anti-social behaviour and crime among young people was recognised by Magistrates at a meeting this week.
Cheshire Constabulary's Chief Constable Dave Whatton presented a report to Cheshire Police Authority highlighting the successful work neighbourhood officers undertake to stop young people getting into trouble.
Amongst the whole raft of measures that have been carried out to change the behaviour of young people across Cheshire the work that has been done in Wilmslow to tackle anti-social behaviour near Wilmslow Leisure Centre was given a special mention.
PCSO Chris Hopkins explained "We were receiving regular complaints about anti-social behaviour at the Wilmslow Leisure Centre. By analysing the times that we were receiving the complaints we were able to work in conjunction with Cheshire East Council, Wilmslow Leisure Centre and Macclesfield Town Football club to come up with a plan to best tackle the problem. Including activities for the youths such as street dance and street football. We also increased patrols, reviewed and made recommendations for security improvements and gave staff access to a phone number direct to mobile patrols."
All of these tactics have contributed to a phenomenal reduction in anti-social behaviour with no reported incidents in this area since the project started.
Chris Hopkins added "It is great to get involved in these sort of initiatives as it's providing a long term solution for the affected parties rather than moving the problem from one area to another. It's also fantastic to help provide something positive and fun for the local youth to get involved in."
Moira Chapman, Magistrate Member of the Police Authority commenting on the achievements of the officers, said: "The work that the Constabulary is doing is making a positive contribution to the lives of young people. Whilst a direct link between their work and reductions in crime and anti-social behaviour cannot be proven, in my experience as a Youth Court Magistrate, I have seen such a reduction in case load at the youth court I sit in I now only have to sit once a fortnight instead of once a week."
