Three-pronged attack to deal with anti-social youths (From Warrington Guardian)

Three-pronged attack to deal with anti-social youths

TROUBLESOME youths in Winsford are being tackled from all directions by police officers as part of an initiative to reduce anti-social behaviour.

Community Action Team (CAT) officers have been using a three-pronged tactic to deal with the problem in the Over and Wharton areas, resulting in significant reduction in the number of crimes being committed.

Figures show a decrease of 36 per cent in Wharton and 15 per cent in Over since the initiative began in November.

Sgt Gavin Day, from Winsford CAT Team, said: "We needed to change our approach to dealing with anti-social youths because previously each time we came across groups of youths involved in anti-social behaviour they would disperse in all directions as soon as they saw us coming."

Undercover officers have been out and about on the streets to identify any problems of anti-social behaviour before uniformed officers target the offenders.

Sgt Day said: "Uniformed teams target the area from three directions so the culprits have little chance of making off from us - there are officers in every direction regardless of which way they turn.

"Once we've caught up with them their names and addresses are taken and we contact their families to alert them of their child's offensive behaviour.

"Fortunately this action usually has the desired effect and in most cases we don't have cause to contact the families again."

Sgt Day is warning that if an individual's behaviour does not improve further action will be taken.

He said: "There are a minority of youngsters who are persistently causing a nuisance and lots of work is going on behind the scenes to ensure they are given the opportunity to change their ways.

"If they don't, serious consideration is given to measures such as Acceptable Behaviour Contracts and Anti-Social Behaviour Orders."

Sgt Day is also appealing for parents' help in addressing the problems.

He said: "Nobody likes to believe their child is engaging in offensive, threatening or even illegal behaviour but the truth is there are a handful of young people who are causing misery to others with this type of behaviour and this is not acceptable. We don't want to have to go down the route of court orders and arrests but we will if necessary.

"We'll also take alcohol away from underage drinkers and will issue on the spot fines to those suspected of supplying it to them."