Police officers have been working with Cheshire East Council, Congleton Town Council, local schools and Plus Dane Housing to prevent anti-social behaviour in our town.

It follows a string of dispersal orders in recent times, and a group of teenagers assaulting an older man at Congleton Bus Station.

Congleton Local Policing Unit claims the rise in anti-social behaviour is being committed 'by a small minority' in the town.

The coalition of organisations aim is to curb the behaviour of those causing the most distress to residents, visitors and businesses in Congleton.

Patrols have increased in hotspot areas at identified high risk times, while officers have been into schools to educate young people about the effect anti-social behaviour can have on their own community.

Curfews have been given to those identified as being involved in the behaviour, alongside letter warnings from the council's anti-social behaviour team, warning of further action should the behaviour continue.

Also new is that Criminal Behaviour Orders are being considered for the worst offenders.

Support is also being offered to those identified as vulnerable and in need.

A lot of these crimes are committed by young teens, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Antisocial behaviour crimes can include from loud music, abusive or insulting behaviour, violence, vandalism, or drunkenness.

Cheshire Police Sgt Paul Brunton said: "We have been carefully monitoring the issue in the town centre and have implemented Dispersal Orders when information suggests we need to take specific robust action.

"We have been working with colleagues across the board to monitor behaviour and continue to identify children responsible for this issue. They are assessed to see if they are vulnerable and in need of support – this can include supporting a whole family.

"We are also linking in with housing around potential tenancy breaches and ongoing enforcement.

"We will continue to try, with the help of colleagues from the council's anti-social behaviour team and family services, to give those who really need it, the support they need to go down the right path.

"We are working with our partners to take this action, and those who are responsible are continuing to be identified and will be held accountable for their actions."

Other examples of anti-social behaviour crimes include shouting, illegal use of vehicles and harassment.

Councillor Mick Warren, Cheshire East Council's chair of environment and communities, said: "We are working with Cheshire police to address what is clearly a very serious issue around anti-social behaviour in an area of Congleton.

"This kind of activity, to this degree, is causing serious distress to residents, businesses and visitors, particularly the elderly and vulnerable and needs to be stamped out.

"It is the actions of a selfish, mindless minority and I would urge parents/carers to make sure they are aware of where young people in their care have been, who they have been with and what they have been up to. Where parents or carers need additional support, we can provide it.

"I want to thank Cheshire police and our anti-social behaviour team for the tough action they are taking in dealing with this problem."

There were six anti-social behaviour crimes reported in Congleton East in January 2022, and 12 in Congleton West.

Figures for February, where a spike is believed to have taken place, are not yet currently avaliable.

Howard Cover, Interim Director for Housing at Plus Dane Housing, said: "We understand the impact that ASB can have on our customers and their communities which is why we will continue to work in partnership with the police and local councils to tackle this issue."

See Also: New Congleton Local Policing Unit will bring 'visible presence' and make town safer

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