CHESHIRE Police and Warrington Borough Council have written to the parents of high school pupils after an increase in anti-social behaviour in Warrington town centre.

As previously reported by the Warrington Guardian, central Warrington has suffered from a rise in incidents involving youths in recent weeks and months.

The issue has come to the forefront in the past fortnight, with police having reportedly attended incidents involving youths at Warrington Market, the Subway branch on Bridge Street and Warrington Bus Interchange.

Now the force and WBC have penned a joint letter, sent to the parents and guardians of 11 to 16-year-olds at schools across the borough, pleading for ‘assistance’ to tackle the issue.

This note – jointly signed by chief inspector Neil Drum and Theresa Whitfield, head of strategic support and coordination for the council’s community safety and resilience team – also describes threats to staff at Cineworld in Time Square and ‘vulnerable adults’ receiving abuse.

Officers have received intelligence suggesting teens are taking drugs in the area, while concerns have also been raised over the use of bikes and e-scooters ‘in and around’ the bus station.

Meanwhile, Trading Standards are investigating reports that a premise in the town centre is selling vaping products to underage children.

The letter adds: “Our aim is both to alert you and to seek your assistance to stem what is increasingly becoming an unacceptable level of anti-social behaviour developing within pockets of our communities, and particularly within our town centre.

“Over the past few months there have been various incident arising, particularly in the vicinity of the bus interchange and the new Time Square development.

“There are large groups of young people congregating in the town from all areas of the borough.

“In addition to this, there are now groups of youths visiting from out of town – which has led to some local youths reporting feelings of intimidation when in the town centre.

“Whenever large groups of youths congregate from different areas of the borough, and especially from out of town, there is a heightened risk of tension. There is also a real risk of exploitation.

“There have been anecdotal reports related to some young people thought to be carrying knives, however we must stress this has not been substantiated but is still being actively investigated.

“We appreciate that some of this information may be alarming and we want to assure you that, as a partnership, we are doing everything we can to identify and deter this minority cohort from continuing this behaviour.”

The letter states that CCTV in the area has been increased and security guards have been asked to wear body cameras, while a series of assemblies and workshops are also being delivered in high schools.

Inspector Dan Haddock said of the ongoing problems earlier this week: “Due to an increase in reports of youths committing anti-social behaviour within the town centre, there is now a visible policing presence with officers carrying out patrols in the area.

“A number of youths have been arrested and we have put dispersal orders in place which should help to prevent this behaviour.

“All of the work we are doing is in partnership with the local council, and officers have been visiting schools to engage with children about this type of behaviour but to also identify those who might be responsible.

“While the majority of youngsters are well behaved, our work will be ongoing until the town is an even safer place for the public and local businesses.

“If you are a parent and your children are using the town centre, I would urge you to encourage them to act responsibly and do not become involved in anti-social behaviour. If they do, and they are identified, we will be looking to take positive action.

“If anyone has information, please speak to an officer or report it via our website.”