Rudheath News

A COURT case is looming for a 13-year-old Rudheath boy as police continue their Crackdown on Criminal Damage.

Northwich Community Action Team officers are warning similar action will be taken against people responsible for a spate of incidents in the Rudheath area.

CCTV cameras are already being used to monitor the community following reports of criminal damage to homes in places such as Gadbrook Road, Belmont Road, Greenway Drive and Cotebrook Road.

Police patrols have also been stepped up in hot spot areas including Middlewich Road where damage has been caused to the phone box and bus shelter.

Local officer PC Leanne Huddart said: “This behaviour is not acceptable nor will it be tolerated. We have already charged one suspect and will not hesitate to take similar action against others.

“These offenders are causing fear to many elderly people in Rudheath. This gives me great concern. I’d like to reassure those people we will do all we can to put a stop to this trend.”

Reports of criminal damage In Rudheath have been gradually increasing in recent weeks. In one incident, a large paving slab was thrown through the window of a person’s front room window.

Fortunately, no-one was injured however the potential for serious injury was very real.

PC Huddart said: “We believe a handful of young people are responsible for these problems. I’ve no doubt they see it as a bit of fun but the consequences of their actions are anything but a joke.

“Not only is there the risk of being arrested and charged with criminal offences, they are putting the lives of others in serious danger. I’m confident the plans we have in place which include the use of camera recording equipment at hotspot locations will help us put a stop to these problems.”

Members of the public who have information about criminal damage problems in Rudheath are urged to contact the Community Action Team on 0845 458 6392. This is a voicemail facility. All messages are regularly checked and responded to.

Rudheath residents invited to have their say

RUDHEATH CAT officers will get their claws into nuisance youth issues after residents selected the issue as a top priority at a recent Community Action Meeting (CAM).

More than 30 residents went along to the CAM led by PCs Leanne Huddart and Rob Astbury to register their views on the issues they have concerns about.

It’s the first time a CAM has been held in the community and it follows weeks of preparations by the local bobbies.

PC Leanne Huddart, who is leading the project along with her colleague PC Rob Astbury, said: “We were really pleased with the turn out at the meeting. Local residents and representatives from Weaver Vale Housing Trust, youth services and the Probation Service all came along and everyone made a valuable contribution.

“We talked about a number of issues and it was agreed nuisance youth issues would be the top priority over the coming weeks. Both the police and the partner agencies intend to make progress in this area and we’ll feed back all our efforts at the next CAM in the New Year.”

It’s not the first time residents have teamed up with the officers – the CAM process includes surveys and fact-finding tours of the community dubbed Catwalks and both were completed before the recent meeting.

PC Astbury said: “We display the information gathered during the walks and surveys at the meeting. This, coupled with the views and opinions expressed during the CAM, helps paint a picture of what problems there are in the community.

“It’s clear residents feel nuisance youth problems are an area which needs attention. Fortunately, most young people give us no cause for concern. There are just a handful of troublemakers and we’ll be pro-actively targeting them to ensure their behaviour is not having a detrimental effect on the rest of the community.”

Efforts have already begun and one 17-year-old local boy has received an £80 on-the-spot fine for misuse of a firework.

Over the coming weeks, arrest and seizure powers will continue to be used as the officers target hot spot locations at key times. In addition, they’ll be teaming up with partners in an attempt to improve youth service provision in the area.

The next meeting will be held on March 15, 2007, at 7pm - Rudheath Youth Club.

To find out more about the CAM process in Rudheath contact the officers on 0845 458 6392. Please note this is a recording facility which allows callers to leave messages for the CAT. Messages are regularly checked and responded to.

To report a crime contact 0845 458 0000 or to pass on information to the police anonymously contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.