ST HELENS' police chief says a government-led strategy that gives the public a bigger say in policing is already having a positive impact on two communities where it is being tested.

Since the strategy was launched in February, 312 people in the West Park and Town-centre wards have been arrested, says St Helens' Chief Superintendent Andy Ward

More than 50 of the arrests have been for alleged drug offences and an alleged drugs den in the West Park Ward, has been temporarily boarded up after an interim closure order was secured.

This followed dramatic raids reported in the Star which saw a squad of more than 20 officers bursting into the terraced house on Lingholme Road - some even used ladders to clamber in through the first floor windows.

Police will ask magistrates to grant them powers under the Anti-social Behaviour Act to close the house permanently.

The new strategy allows the public to define the top three problems they want police to tackle.

Drug activity was highlighted by neighbours as a problem in both wards. Boozing on the streets and problem parking were picked out as the two other priorities for police to tackle in the town-centre ward.

In both wards 312 fixed penalty notices for illegal parking have been issued. Police are working with St Helens Council to set up residents only parking areas in some town-centre areas.

West Park residents, meanwhile, voted for officers to also concentrate on youth disorder, tipping and graffiti. Police say council cleansing officers are shifting rubbish and graffiti within 24 hours.

According to police, tidied up sites include waste land at the corner of Cooper Street and North Road, while there is now weekly cleaning sessions at entries nearby Cambridge Road, Crab Street, Halefield Street, Duke Street and North Road.

Chief Supt Ward said: "We have worked very hard with the local authority and are now seeing some really positive results.

"We did a big drugs raid in Lingholme Road and had people out on the street congratulating us for that.

"Crime has always been falling from some time. It is people's fear of crime that is the issue for us and my concern is we deal with these fears. We won't make everything 100 per cent right but we will tackle people's concerns."

St Helens is one of only 16 areas in the country piloting the policing scheme. Public meetings in the wards involved will be held next month.

l Do you live in these areas? Is the reassurance strategy having an impact? Contact the St Helens Star via post or email to akilmurray@cheshire.newsquest.co.uk .