VICTIMS of crime can have their say in a huge law and order survey - just as new Whitehall powers to crack down on unruly youths are felt in Orford.

Gangs of youths who terrorised residents in Darwen Gardens have been given their marching orders by police with extra powers given to them by the Crime and Disorder Bill, winning the praise of Warrington North MP Helen Jones and Poplars councillor Darren Pilling.

The MP says extra patrols were drafted in, alcohol was seized from under-age drinkers and a curfew was imposed on the alleged ringleader.

Mrs Jones said: "Warrington police should be congratulated for their swift action and making use of new powers under the Crime and Disorder Act."

Clr Pilling has vowed to examine ways of clamping down on the sale of alcohol to under 18s and how more facilities can keep young people off the streets.

"This problem affects many estates in Warrington and we owe it to residents to take action," he added.

And Town Hall bosses have this week launched their Community Safety Strategy, as part of the Crime and Disorder Bill, to investigate the town's attitudes towards, and experiences of, crime.

More than 6,000 residents and 1,000 businesses are being selected at random to be quizzed. The results will be analysed and form the backbone of a new crime strategy, to be unveiled next April.

Council leader John Gartside said: "We want to get a good cross-section of views to find out what people's real concerns are and their thoughts on how we should tackle crime.

"The ultimate aim is to reduce crime, making Warrington a safer place in which to live and work."

Questionnaires are currently being distributed and must be returned by the end of October.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.