WINSFORD has been revealed as the worst area in the Congleton and Vale Royal police division for crime and nuisance youth incidents.

The statistics, compiled for the borough council's Winsford Area Working Group, show crime data since February last year.

They show three of the top five worst areas for crime are beats in Winsford, with the same areas being the top three for nuisance youth problems over 11 months last year.

However, Clr Malcolm Gaskill feels the figures are flawed when you take populations into account.

He said: "It's meaningless, if you compare the number of burglaries in Alvanley to the number in Wharton, there must be at least five or six times more people.

"It is like comparing Manchester to the Isle of Skye."

He added if anything is to be taken from the figures it should be that Winsford clearly needs more police with a more visible police presence.

Usually, the public would not be able to see these figures, as they are part of a confidential working group agenda.

But the Guardian can reveal them as they are from a Community Safety Committee agenda, an open committee meeting.

The good news is that most of those who commit violent crime are brought to justice, but vandalism is still one of the biggest causes for concern.

However, a new policing approach could gradually solve this problem.

Inspector Steve Bailey will be provisionally in charge of the Winsford and Tarporley sector of a new 'sector policing scheme' when it starts in April.

A community action team with one sergeant, two constables and a community safety officer will have the task of solving these problems by meeting with the public and community groups.

Inspector Bailey used the cybercafe at Wharton as an example of a community project which has been successful in reducing vandalism and nuisance incidents, without completely solving the problem.

He said: "There will always be some kids who don't want to do that. They might just want somewhere to sit, talk with their mates and have a drink. At the present moment in time nobody takes ownership of that, so the community action team looks at it and if there is a problem they will tell me what they are going to do about it."

Clr Nick Harris, vice chairman of the Winsford Area Working Group was optimistic about the new approach.

He said: "I think it is a wonderful idea because it gives members of the public an opportunity to have a face to face meeting with members of the police service, so they can talk through any problems they are facing."