| Monday 7th November 2005 |
ref: 455/2005 |
Public servants who have been helping tackle anti-social behaviour in the Scholes area of Wigan are to be commended for their efforts at a special mayoral reception at Wigan Town Hall next week (Tuesday 29th November, 7pm).
The Scholes area experienced serious anti-social behaviour earlier this year, culminating in the shocking murder of the take-away owner Mi Gao Huang Chen in April. Before and since then, Wigan Council and Greater Manchester Police have been working with local residents and community groups to address the problems.
The 'unsung heroes' include Police and Community Support Officers (PCSOs), council staff and Barbara Nettleton of the One Voice Residents' Association.
Popular local resident Barbara helped Wigan Council secure Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs) against four teenagers who had been terrifying the Scholes community. Ignoring the obvious risks to herself, Barbara had challenged the gang herself on more than one occasion and, despite the potential of reprisals from the aggressive and intimidating teenagers involved, she insisted on giving evidence against them for the sake of her own community.
Detailed incident records kept by Police Community Support Officers were also a crucial part of the case for Anti-Social Behaviour Orders. PCSOs had defied intimidation from the gang who were conducting a 'reign of terror' across the area. On one occasion, a lone PCSO positioned himself on a bridge over the Leeds & Liverpool Canal to protect a small group of children from drunken and aggressive youths.
Commendations will also awarded to staff from Wigan & Leigh Housing and Wigan Council, whose high-quality CCTV support proved invaluable in securing murder convictions against four youths following the attack on Mr Chen.
Councillor Keith Cunliffe, Wigan Council's Cabinet Member for Community Protection says:
"There are many unsung heroes in our communities and I am delighted to see some of them being recognised in this way.
"We still have problems in Scholes and elsewhere across the borough, but we are heading in the right direction. We are seeing big falls in crime and disorder. Last year, crime fell by 13% and in the first half of this year it was already down by a further 9%. Our efforts are paying off and Wigan is becoming a safer borough."
Wigan police’s Superintendent Shaun Currie adds:
"Anti-social behaviour cannot be tolerated and I am extremely pleased that these people are being recognised for their efforts in addressing this problem. These awards are a clear demonstration of our commitment to working with residents and partner agencies to effectively tackle anti-social behaviour.
"Many people don’t understand the vital role that PCSOs play in making our communities safer and I hope that this acknowledgement will go someway to changing that. Crime is continuing to fall across the borough and it is only by working together that we can keep it that way."
In 2004, Wigan Council and its partners agreed new approaches to tackling crime and disorder, including closer working arrangements between the police, council and Wigan & Leigh Housing. One of the major charges was the transfer of security patrol staff and neighbourhood wardens to become Police Community Support Officers.
The council and Wigan & Leigh Housing currently contribute some £380,000 each year to the expanded PCSOs team, whilst behind the scenes staff monitor over 500 CCTV cameras deployed across the borough.
Officials attending the ceremony include council leader Peter Smith, Makerfield MP Ian McCartney, council chief executive Joyce Redfearn and Chief Superintendant Lee Bruckshaw.