THREE community projects aimed at sprucing up different areas in Warrington blighted by anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping have been given the green light thanks to funding from police and crime commissioner (PCC) David Keane.
The projects are all aimed at tackling issues such as anti-social behaviour and fly-tipping, while also encouraging community involvement.
The grants all come from the commissioner’s Community Police Fund, which takes money seized from criminals and puts it back into projects aimed a tackling crime.
The local policing teams in the areas worked with the community groups to develop the bids and will continue to work closely with the community as the projects develop.
In Stockton Heath, the Friends of Alexandra Park voluntary group have received a grant to build a nature trail in the park.
In the application, Mary Fortune, said: “This area of the park often attracts anti-social behaviour and recently there has been evidence of drug use, fires and alcohol consumption”, adding: “The construction of the nature trail will increase footfall in this area of the park, which will naturally deter antisocial behaviour and increase community cohesion.”
In Birchwood, the Trolley Angels are a community group that work to reduce environmental crime such as littering, fly-tipping, dog fouling, graffiti, fly parking, overgrown gardens and abandoned shopping trollies. Working with local residents, they also aim to foster a sense of civic pride in their local area.
In the application, James Coates, Trolley Angels team leader, said: “Birchwood suffers from persistent fly-tipping of shopping trollies, household waste and litter, leading to an environment that attracts further negligence and antisocial behaviour.”
In Bewsey and Whitecross, the Friends of Whitecross community group have been awarded a grant to transform a piece of land into a community allotment.
In the application Joan Birchall, chair of the Friends of Whitecross, said: “In recent months there has been an increase in anti-social behaviour and drug dealing on and around the land which will house the allotments.
“This is due to the overgrown bushes and dark pathways surrounding it.
“These bushes have now been cut away and this project will attract many community groups and residents which will disrupt this antisocial activity taking place.
“It will allow this place to no longer be a dark secluded path as it will be opened up with bright flowers.”
PCC David Keane said: “The people of Warrington all take great pride in their communities and these projects are all a brilliant example of that.
“Not only do they enhance the look of the local areas and bring people together, they’re tackling real problems such as fly-tipping and anti-social behaviour, issues which are of great to concern to many people.
“I’m delighted to have been able to back these schemes and doubly pleased that, thanks to the work we’ve done in setting up this fund, it will be the ill-gotten-gains of criminals that help make these projects possible.”
