DALLAM TRAINEE carpenters came to the rescue of a Dallam church that had become plagued by anti-social behaviour.

St Mark’s CE Church had suffered from vandalism and groups of people congregating in an open porch at the back of the building, causing problems.

Police patrols had been stepped up in the area but officers wanted to find a lasting solution for the church’s problems.

So Cheshire Police got in touch with Warrington Collegiate to ask them to offer a hand in a project that would not only cut down on crime but also help the students with their studies.

Neil Jukes, a crime reduction advisor, said: “I visited the church and looked at the sort of problems they had been experiencing. It was clear that a long-term solution to the problem could be to build doors that could block off the open porch area at the back. This would then remove the incentive for people to congregate in that area.”

A group of full-time site carpentry and joinery students were nominated to do the work to create a set of wooden fire doors to attach to the open porch at the back.

Then over a four-week period they put their joinery skills to the test constructing the new security measure.

Bernard Casey, head of the carpentry and joinery department at Warrington Collegiate, said: “We are all very proud of what they have achieved and the professional way in which they have conducted themselves. Everybody who has been involved in the project has had something complimentary to say about the students, which is nice to hear as young people are often not acknowledged for their positive behaviour.”

To find out about crime reduction advice call Cheshire Police on 0845 458 000 and ask to speak to a crime reduction advisor.