Frodsham's PCSO, Neil Flanagan, has reported a sustained reduction in antisocial behaviour at Saltworks Farm Playing Fields.

In correspondence conveyed at Monday's Frodsham Town Council meeting, PCSO Flanagan detailed the work that he and Frodsham's local police team had carried out around Saltworks to help address ongoing issues surrounding the behaviour of some young people at the park.

This included the Street a Week scheme, "an initiative where [police officers] target a particular street or area which has been selected due to current demand and issues of crime or antisocial behaviour.

"This initiative saw a greater police presence, as well as other partner agencies, which gave us the opportunity to engage, deter and problem solve.

"There have also been professional meetings held to discuss the issues on Saltworks, and to plan for a long-term strategy for making the area suitable for use by all members of the community on a regular basis.

"Some issues will persist with a small group of youths in the area. However, we have seen the issues reducing over the past couple of months."

The drop in reported incidents of antisocial behaviour can also be attributed to the community engagement of local residents, some of whom have been visiting Saltworks regularly to talk with and promote collaboration between different park users.

For example, Waterside resident, Helen Watson, has begun running a Saltworks Kindness Café, offering free drinks and snacks to the young people who spend time there.

Helen has been pleased to see these younger members of the community "taking pride" in Saltworks' skate park and play area, helping to clear litter and thinking of ways to make it a safer and more inclusive space for everyone to use.

Castle Park and Memorial Field

During Monday's Frodsham Town Council meeting, PCSO Flanagan also reported that Frodsham Police had received several reports of antisocial behaviour at Memorial Field car park, where it seems that groups of people have been congregating in their cars, dropping litter, playing loud music and taking drugs.

The police are looking to work with Cheshire West and Chester Council to address the issues and PCSO Flanagan will continue to make his presence felt in the area to deter such activity.

Residents have also requested that the car park be locked at night to prevent vehicles from stopping there for extended periods of time.

Further down the hill in Castle Park, there had been reports of large groups of young people congregating in the evenings.

PCSO Flanagan said that, although they were "well-mannered" they were "unwilling to keep noise levels down and continued consuming alcohol, despite repeated requests to stop.

"Eventually, all had to be dispersed from the park."

He noted that Cheshire West and Chester Council Community Safety Wardens are planning to increase patrols of the area to help tackle complaints about noise and litter.