Search for weapons as police target off-roaders
OLIVER CLAY
POLICE have been targeting off-road bikes and scouring public spaces for stashed weapons in Halton to mark the first ever AntiSocial Behaviour (ASB) Awareness Week.
Organised by neighbourhood safety training group Resolve, activities took place across the county including increased patrols, resident surveys, school visits and football tournaments.
In Widnes, three knife sweeps took place and Cheshire Constabulary reported that although no blades were found, the initiative generated positive engagement with other agencies.
In Runcorn, patrols took place targeting nuisance off-road motorbikes in addition to KnifeSaver training alongside the NHS.
Chief Inspector Gary Smith, force lead for the event, said: “This week has been a huge success and I am grateful to all of our local policing units who have worked tirelessly to crackdown on ASB.
“It has also been important to educate our communities on what is ASB and reaching out to those who may be victim of this crime and signposting where they can get the best possible support.
“ASB can include things such as graffiti, littering and off-road motorcycles within the community and this activity creates an environment where more serious crime can take place.
“This type of behaviour might not seem serious to some people, but it can cause misery to local neighbourhoods and I hope this week has shown if we all work together we can have a positive impact and drive down the levels of ASB.”
Ch Insp Gary Smith also urged anyone who believes they have been a victim of ASB to contact Cheshire police on 101 or report it online at cheshire.police.uk.
John Dwyer, Cheshire’s police and crime commissioner, said: “Anti-social behaviour can be a blight on our communities, and I commend the work done by the constabulary, not just during the awareness week, but in general to combat the issues.
“ASB can have a detrimental impact on those it affects, and it was beneficial for me to see firsthand how our communities were fighting back and providing diversionary activities for young people to channel their energies into, and deter them away from behaving in an anti-social way.
“Cheshire Constabulary will continue to tackle ASB hotspots in the county, but they can only do this with our local communities contacting them and telling them where the issues are.”