WINSFORD'S youngsters have been given a second chance by local police, with the Cops 'n' Kids discos beginning again at the Civic Hall after a five-month break.

The discos were stopped because the organisers were finding it difficult to get enough adults to supervise the events and due to persistent vandalism in the toilets.

But by order of Cheshire's police chief, the popular Civic Hall dance nights have been reinstated.

PC Peter Dutton, who has been involved with the discos for six years, stressed how the scheme - which began 20 years ago - was a valuable part of community policing.

He said: "If you can stop youngsters from hanging around the streets then less damage will be done around the town.

"It is proactive, establishing good links between youngsters and the local police and making them realise that they can come and talk to you."

Supt Ian Johns, head of Vale Royal and Congleton police, supports the decision to restart the disco nights and believes that they are a great way of keeping contact with young people.

He said: "The key to keeping down crime is being in touch with youth."

The dance nights, aimed at 10 to 16-year-olds, will be supervised by regular police officers in their own time, along with specials and volunteers.

Police have made it clear that they will prosecute anyone caught vandalising the premises.

Admission costs £1 and all the money will be put back into the area through the police community involvement fund.

The discos are every Monday at the Civic Hall, from 7pm to 9.30pm.

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