Success stories are thanks to the public (From Warrington Guardian)

Success stories are thanks to the public

BOBBIES on the beat in Weaverham are heaping praise on residents after a string of success stories.

The number of crimes reported in the village in December was more than twice the number reported in September last year.

But police feel the increase - from 14 reports to 37 - is because the public's confidence in the police service is growing.

Several anti-social behaviour orders (ASBOs) and jail terms have been handed out by courts in recent weeks to village troublemakers after Community Action Team (CAT) officers teamed up with residents and provided evidence against offenders.

Insp Peter Minghella, who heads up the CAT team, thanked the village's bobby PC Pete White and the members of the public who have worked with him.

He said: "Whether it's been making a statement, providing snippets of information or reporting incidents, it's all vital information as it not only helps us target and successfully prosecute offenders, it also gives us a clear idea of what problems we have and where.

"This helps us direct our resources to the areas where they are needed most."

The CAT team is keen to improve relations between officers and residents.

PC White said: "We want residents to have the trust and confidence to come to us with the problems that are affecting their quality of life.

"I feel we've already made inroads in the area and I'm hopeful we can build on this."

Following the increase in reported crime, PC White said: "I'd like to think that the increase we're seeing is down to the fact that people trust us to act upon that information.

"Every piece of information we receive is useful in some way, from building a case against an anti-social behaviour culprit to helping us decide where increased patrols are needed."