Anger over crime spate

PUBLIC clamour for a drive to tackle crime in Runcorn appears to be growing after a string of shocking offences in the last month.

Readers on social media have expressed a range of concern and called for action.

In the comments section on the Weekly News Facebook page following a recent alleged robbery, James O’Brien, now of Norfolk, held little back in his assessment of the criminal climate and said: “Best thing was moving from this sh*thole.”

After robbers hit a man from behind and tried to steal his bike on Stenhills Crescent, Kevin Horne said: “It’s getting worse, what the hell is this mickey mouse police crime commissioner doing whilst law and order is getting out of hand? Every day we are getting these reports in Runcorn and Widnes now.”

When a pensioner was mugged at knifepoint near an alley on Pump Lane in Halton Village only a month after a simi- lar incident involving a gang armed with a knife and baseball bat, Karen Forde posed the question: “How many more things will happen in Runcorn lately? Maybe the councillors should get together and do something about it? Or is that expecting too much?”

Simon Hayes echoed that sentiment, saying: “What’s going on in this town? Sort it out!”

Others remarked that the alley in question is too dark and should be better lit.

A Weekly News shout-out for what could be done to improve the situation led to several suggestions.

‘Lain Lain’ said crime seemed to have worsened as winter approached and called for better lighting and a greater police presence.

Gill Mountford called for more neighbourhood watch schemes to be set up and said community spirit was now ‘non-existent in most areas’ and not just Runcorn but around the country.

Kevin Horne said crime reports were now becoming daily such as bricks being used to throw, and windows being smashed on moving vehicles, and he said youths now believe they can act with impunity from the police, parents and schools.

Report crime or suspicious behaviour to Cheshire police on 101.

Alternatively leave information on the freephone Crimestoppers hotline anonymously on 0800 555 111.