Halton Housing Trust is working with its customers to help stamp out anti-social behaviour in the borough.
The Trust, which owns around 6,200 properties in Runcorn and Widnes, has run a number of successful schemes to target the problem in 2009 and says working with customers in the community has been vital in making the area safer.
“The key for us has been working closely with our customers and listening to their needs,” said Noel Sharpe, the Trust’s Director of Customer Services.
“It allows us to hear peoples’ concerns directly and also gives us a chance to enga
ge young people and send out a positive message.”
The Trust recently handed out a series of prizes to youngsters from Runcorn’s Grange Estate, following an anti-social behaviour campaign over Halloween.
The Trust worked with Cheshire Constabulary to set up a mobile unit on the estate, with youngsters invited to compete in a PlayStation competition and win prizes including cinema tickets and Blockbuster vouchers.
Another project saw the Trust’s Anti-Social Behaviour Team attend the ‘You Be The Judge’ event, at Halton Magistrates' Court, where it showed customers how to report anti-social behaviour without fear of becoming a target for local trouble makers.
Noel added: “These are great examples of the Trust working with the local community to tackle the problem. We are aware of issues surrounding anti-social behaviour at Halloween and were keen to support agencies such as the Police in addressing the problem.
“The event at the Court was also very useful, and gave people information on how they can work with the Trust to make our neighbourhoods safer.”