Police draw up community initiative

Apr 4 2008 by Paul Mannion, Chester Chronicle

THE long arm of the law couldn’t keep the scoreline down in a football match between the police and a group of Elton teenagers.

Police officers from the neighbourhood team swapped their uniforms for a football strip in a bid to improve community relations.

Elton PCSO Emma Nash said: “It was a challenge suggested by some of the local teenagers with whom we have been meeting at the shopping precinct. It went very well – despite the poor goalkeeping performance from my sergeant.”

The competitive game ended in a 2-2 draw and both sides played hard but fair.

Emma added: “Our next initiative is a dance and pamper and beauty evening with some of the female teenagers in the village.

“Businesses such as The Body Shop have very kindly agreed to donate cosmetics.”

Sgt Andy Smith said: “It is very pleasing to see Emma engaging in this way with the local teenagers.

“It has been suggested there is little to do, so together we are being creative to set up evenings that will take problems away from our hot- spot areas.

“Further events are planned across the Western Rural area that we hope will have a positive impact on driving down anti-social behaviour.”