County Cross Games organisers put on a 'Summer Bonanza' of activities

PCSOs Scott Watson and Tom Faulkner, who created County Cross Games, are to put on a ‘Summer Bonanza’ of entertainment for young people over the summer holidays.

The aim was to improve the relationship between police and young people and to reduce anti-social behaviour in the towns of Crewe, Sandbach, Congleton, Middlewich, Alsager and Holmes Chapel. The events ran from Tuesday 2nd August to Tuesday 9th August.

Moving on from last year’s Salt Wars, which was very successful, the beat team for these areas expanded the selection of games to include everything from playing handball and ‘pirate ship’ to singing and dancing as well as the usual football and rugby matches.

They even took some to see Manchester United’s grounds, which went down very well.

Their initiative has been so popular Scott and Tom have been shortlisted for PCSO of the year in the Constabulary’s ACE Awards.

PCSO Scott Watson said: “We all know boredom creates problems. If there’s nothing to do, you find something to do, and sometimes judgement goes out of the window and we see anti-social behaviour affecting our communities. That’s why we joined forces with Crewe Alexandra in the Community to create a range of entertaining, boredom-busting fun.

“It also gave us the chance to get to know the young people in our communities, educate them on our role in the community and build a good relationship.

“As a result of our team and our partner agencies hard work over this year and previous years, we have seen the number of incidents of anti-social behaviour decrease.”

County Cross Games will again be organising a range of events for this year and next with the help of the local authority and Crewe Alexandra in the Community to carry on the good work.

Head of local policing, Chief Superintendent Pete Crowcroft said: “We know how important it is to engage with communities and invest in long term problem solving - and this is the perfect example. The young people who attend these events get to know their local officers and PCSOs and this increases their trust and confidence in local policing in their area.

“These young people also have access to other agencies through this work to support and help them with any issues they may be facing as they grow into adults, which can only be a good thing.

“Well done to the local beat teams for going the extra mile for the benefit of our communities.”

Anyone who wants to get involved or would like more information please email:

salt.wars@cheshire.police.uk

ASB between 2nd August 2022 to 10th August 2022 for the Congleton Cluster (including Alsager) - 13, The Sandbach Cluster (including Middlewich and Holmes Chapel) - 12 and the Crewe Cluster - 42

ASB between 2nd August 2021 to 10th August 2021 for 2022 for the Congleton Cluster (including Alsager) - 12, The Sandbach Cluster (including Middlewich and Holmes Chapel) - 15 and the Crewe Cluster – 59

ASB between 2nd August 2020 to 10th August 2020 for the Congleton Cluster (including Alsager) - 8, The Sandbach Cluster (including Middlewich and Holmes Chapel) - 13 and the Crewe Cluster - 22