WOOLSTON bobbies have received positive feedback for their efforts to drive down anti-social behaviour in three crime hot spots.

Reports of youth nuisance at Holes Lane and New Cut Lane, Dam Lane shops, the Grange area and Parksway have fallen by 50 per cent.

This is due to targeted patrols, school visits and test purchases at local off licences.

At a recent CAM (Community Action Meeting), residents told officers how much better the areas are as a result of the focused policing.

A retailer in the area has written to police congratulating officers for their work.

Action taken has included 53 stop checks, regular patrols at schools with a number of advisory notices and fixed penalty notice tickets issued, cautioning 10 individuals for drugs offences, and making one youth the subject of an ABC (Acceptable Behaviour Contract).

In addition to this, all off licences in the area passed 'test purchasing' exercises, which aim to ensure that alcohol is not sold to anyone underage.

At the meeting, residents voted for police and partner agencies to focus on nuisance youths for the next nine weeks, but this time at the guinnel - the alleyway between Warren Lane and Hall Road, the Church of the Ascension and Woolston Leisure Centre; at Parkland to the rear of Nottingham Close, Lincoln Close and Cliftonville Road and at the sports building on Hillock Lane, opposite Hill Top Road.

Patrols are planned for the evenings and early hours of the morning at the weekend when youths are known to gather.

Sergeant Michelle Rice, of the Community Action Team (CAT), said: "It was a positive meeting and I was pleased to see so many people in attendance.

"As well as encouraging residents to vote at their CAM, we are also appealing to anyone who would like to get involved with the local Community Speed Watch scheme by assisting PCSOs with the monitoring of traffic speeds."

To find out more, contact Warrington East Community Action Team on 0845 458 6390. There is a voicemail facility.

People can leave their name, contact details and a brief message and an officer will return their call - usually within 24 hours.