'Elderly are afraid to go out at night in Nantwich' (From Warrington Guardian)

'Elderly are afraid to go out at night in Nantwich'

THE fear of crime is stopping Nantwich's elderly residents from going out at night.

That was the claim this week from Cllr Joyce Stockton, despite police figures showing that the borough is one of the safest places to live in the north west.

The latest Crewe and Nantwich Police Forum revealed that there has been a six per cent reduction in the number of crimes reported, as well as fewer home burglaries and vehicle crimes.

The forum also acknowledged the 47 anti-social behaviour orders which were obtained in the first half of the year, and the increase in 999 emergency calls to local police.

The first half of 2004, however, saw an increase in crimes relating to mobile phones, and Cllr Stockton believes that this makes youngsters more vulnerable to crime.

Cllr Stockton, who is Nantwich Town Council's police forum representative, said: "According to the figures, this is one of the safest places to live.

"But that is only a small consolation to people who continue to suffer from crime.

"Only last week, I received a call from a gentleman whose greenhouse was smashed by vandals, and this is a common occurrence.

"A lot of the elderly still will not leave their homes at night because the fear of crime still persists, and it seems that younger people are also becoming more prone due to the increase in mobile phone crime."

Cllr Stockton was quick to praise the town's police officers, however, and believes that a select group of youngsters is at the root of the town's crime problems.

She also supported proposals for more beat officers.

Cllr Stockton said: "A lot of crime is committed by a small number of young people, and it's a shame that we cannot do away with that.

"I have great faith in the police and I have nothing but praise for them.

"It's these young criminals that we need to get rid of.

"We are hoping to get more bobbies on the beat, and the Assistant Chief Constable has also said that it is something he wants to see.

"It is something that we have been trying to get for a long time because people do like to see a greater police presence."