Antisocial trouble falls
COUNCILLORS have vowed that life near a Widnes park which has experienced anti-social behaviour (ASB) problems in the past has improved thanks to teamwork between groups.
At the start of June, the Weekly News reported how councillors on the safer policy and performance board were meeting to discuss a petition lodged by residents of Ascot Gardens in Upton Rocks.
It was submitted in April to the council and signed by 67 residents.
The petition raised concerns and asked for ‘robust action’ to be taken around ASB that residents were experiencing in Upton Rocks Park.
It referred to and gave evidence of action by ‘a minority of youth who are causing mayhem and unhappiness in the area’.
Details were also given in the council report of action which has been taken and also planned to combat the issue.
This has included a knife sweep, an ASB camera being installed, increased police activity, CCTV coverage being improved in the area, volunteers recruited as homewatch co-ordinators, and meetings with councillors and residents.
Improved LED lights in the area are also planned.
And matters appear to have improved in the area of late, with
the area’s PCSO Chris Carr confirming there has not been any ASB experienced in the last five weeks.
He said: “There has been some very productive partnership working between Birchfield ward councillors, the police, Halton Borough Council, Halton Community Safety Partnership and the local community.
“Between us we have put in measures to reduce the ongoing ASB issues in these areas.
“The local community has been empowered to get involved and have created their own community groups.
“They are actively seeking funding to hold events in the park.
“There are also several Home Watch Schemes in the area (five police-accredited schemes) and the co-ordinators are very active within their schemes.
“I have recently requested the help of Everton In The Community, Halton Spartans, Halton Council’s sports development officer, Widnes Vikings, the Merseyside officer Scouts.
“Recently Everton In The Community have carried out engagement in the park with great success and will be doing further work there over the summer.
“Halton Spartans will be doing the same, along with the Widnes Vikings.
“I will be hoping to put numerous events and sporting activities in place over the summer to help engage with youths and distract them from committing ASB.
“We all have achieved this by working together, communicating ideas and then implementing them.
“I feel this is some of the finest partnership working in the borough of Halton and I am immensely proud to be part of it.”
Birchfield ward councillors have also had their say.
Cllr Bill Woolfall said: “For a considerable time the residents, police, ward councillors, fire service, council officers, cab companies and local schools have sports development and Mersey Weaver worked closely together to combat the problems.
“Although there were many young people meeting in the park, it was only a small minority who were causing a problem.
“Better lighting in the park, and CCTV monitors at the shops, and more recently in the park, has contributed to the safety of the park users. All these actions seem to have been a success, and only brought about by the strong partnerships that have taken place over several months.
“The ward members would like to thank everyone who has contributed, and we can now look forward to the park being enjoyed by both visitors and families together.
“A particular thank you should be for PCSO Chris Carr, who has worked tirelessly in the area and introduced a number of new initiatives to involve young people.”
Cllr Sandra Baker added: “Chris has been our linchpin in everything that has evolved around Upton Rocks Park.
“The whole exercise has been about team work with all the services and community coming together to achieve the positive position we are in at the moment.
“Coming together is a beginning, keeping together is progress, working together is success – this has been the process on Upton Rocks, and I sincerely hope this continues.
“Myself, Cllr Bill Woolfall and Cllr Mike Fry would like to thank everyone involved in this operation, especially the residents who have helped us immensely.”