ANTI-SOCIAL behaviour in Winsford has caused some members of the public to fear going to the shops during the half-term period.

A group of around 20-30 youths have been seen congregating around Cheviot Square car park over the past week and police say there has been several break-ins at the derelict Edge building.

Northwich Police posted on Facebook: “This half-term break has seen a big increase in anti-social behaviour around Cheviot Square in Winsford, involving one particular large group of youths.

“This has been the source of a lot of concern for the local community. Please rest assured we have the names of some of the key members of group and they will soon be receiving their invitation for a visit to the police station.”

PCSO Hannah Price has been dealing with the issue and told the Guardian that some members of the community are frightened to go the shops at Cheviot Square due to the large group of youths.

PCSO Price said: “There’s been a large group of around 20 to 30 youths hanging around there on the Cheviot Square that have been causing issues with the community.

"We’ve had reports of them breaking into the Edge, which is now a derelict building, and generally being a nuisance to the community.

“We’ve had members of the community telling us they don’t want to go to the shop anymore because of this massive group of youths.

“We have had a lot of reports of them breaking in and we have had the building boarded up now. We’ve also increased police presence around there.

“If anyone has seen anything regarding this anti-social behaviour, contact police on 101.”

PCSO Price has also contacted the Winsford town mayor Cllr Mike Kennedy to inform him of the issue.

Cllr Kennedy said: “I have said I will raise it at the next Youth Forum agenda.

"It’s always a tricky issue with these teenagers that are causing the problems.

“The ones we get in the Youth Forum are the ones who aren’t causing the problems so it’s pointless speaking to them really.

"We need to try and get those individuals coming to the forum and show them that there are better ways to spend their time.”