FRODSHAM AREA

Frodsham North

Background

Frodsham North Ward takes in the northern and eastern parts of the town of Frodsham. (See Map) It contains 1724 hectares. Frodsham is a lively market town located mid-way between Chester and Warrington, where the River Weaver meets the mouth of the Mersey, close to Junction 12 of the M56 motorway. There is a mix of residential, retail, business and rural areas. There are railway stations at Frodsham and Helsby with services to Chester; the town is also served by regular bus services. There is a library and are two primary schools and a secondary school in the ward.

Facts and Figures

Population & % of Vale Royal	Number of households & % of VR	Population under 16 years	Population 16 to 64 years	Population 65 years and over	Average Age
6840 (5.6%)	2954 (5.9%)	1238 (18.1%)	4271 (62.4%)	1331 (19.5%)	42 years

In 2001 there were 2954 households of which 78.8% were owner-occupied and social housing accounted for a further 14.7%, the remainder were in private rented accommodation.

At the time of the 2001 Census, of those aged between 16 and 74 years 62% were economically active which is just below the rate for Vale Royal (65%) and above that for England and Wales (60.6%). The unemployed accounted for only 3% of whom 29% were aged over 50, 6% had never worked and 37% were long-term unemployed. Those otherwise economically inactive formed 17% of the population in the same age range. Retired people represent 18% of the age group.

Frodsham North ward is divided into five areas for the purpose of measuring social and economic disadvantage. According to the Government’s Index of Multiple Deprivation 2004, only one area, that in the south-east is in the top 10% nationally. The central area around Ship Street lies in the lowest 20% nationally as regards income deprivation with a significant number of people on income support and other benefits. This same area also suffers as regards employment and health indicators and is almost in the bottom 10%. The Newtown area is in the bottom 10% as regards environmental issues – housing, air quality and road safety.

Crime

Year	Burglary Dwelling	Other Burglary	Vehicle Crime	Other Theft	Criminal Damage	Violent Crime	Other Crimes	Total
2006/07 (½ year)	21	16	34	73	69	67	16	296
2005/06	34	29	31	158	181	135	39	607 (88.7)
2004/05	29	38	75	83	224	19	125	593 (86.7)
2003/04	30	31	93	96	159	87	57	553 (81)

Note: Figures are for offences per 1000 population.

Disorder

In 2005/06 new categories of Anti-social behaviour were used by the police making it difficult to compare previous years. During the past year the following incidents were recorded by the police.

	Street Drinking	Vehicle Nuisance	Abandoned Vehicles	Noise - Pubs/Clubs	Environmental Litter, graffiti, etc.	Nuisance in public place	Rowdy/ drunken behaviour	Other	Total
2006/07 (½ year)	0	3	0	0	0	2	8	10	23
2005/06	4	36	55	0	0	124	148	45	412

The figures for previous years were as follows:

For the year 2001 – 02 ‘Nuisance Youths’ was not a separate category but were contained within ‘Disturbance in a public place.

			Disturbance in
Year	Nuisance Youths	General Disorder	Public place	Private place	Licensed premises	Noise nuisance	Domestic Incident	Total
2004/05	192	112	82	30	18	5	55	560
2003/04	217	10	65	28	10	4	55	518
2002/03	90	8	53	24	6	7	40	357
2001/02	130			7	8	5	30	257

Of the other forms of disturbance not listed in the table are telephone nuisance of either an abandoned call, hoax or threatening/abusive nature and minor /other nuisance issues including neighbour disputes. The totals include these matters.