GARDEN-hopping youngsters are keeping police and community support officers on their toes in Culcheth.

Residents complaining about seeing children running through or hiding in their back gardens have told police they are happy for officers to follow suit if it solves the problem.

CSO Phil Pickering told Culcheth Parish Council: "Even if you go over to them they lie dead still at first!"

He added: "We'll give them a ticking off but if they persist the next step is a letter home."