Police tackled seven noisy parties and 15 reports of anti-social behaviour in the area surrounding the University of Chester during the annual Freshers’ Week.

Operation Cherokee concentrated on the Garden Quarter and university with officers deployed on foot and in marked vehicles to offer a highly visible presence as several thousand students arrived in the city.

Its aim was to support residents during this “exceptionally busy time” as well as providing advice and reassurance to the arriving students and the wider community.

The operation ran from 6pm until 4am each night, from Sunday September 28 until Saturday October 4, with a guarantee that officers would attend all reported noisy parties.

During this period, officers responded to seven noisy parties, and 15 incidents of reported anti-social behaviour (ASB). In each case the disorder was found to be noise nuisance and was quickly quelled.

Police report that the vast majority of students were receptive to the advice offered and this resulted in just two repeat call locations during the week. These repeat locations, one a residential property and one a hall of residence away from the Garden Quarter, will be further visited by officers with a view to longer term management should the problem become persistent. No arrests were made during the week in relation to this operation.

There was one reported burglary on Whipcord Lane and police arrested a 16-year-old male in relation to this. In this case, neither the victim nor the suspect is a student, but Cheshire Constabulary says it serves as a timely reminder for all people in the area to keep windows and doors locked when they are out, and at night.

Sergeant Andy Burrage said: “On the whole, the students we have engaged with this year have been good natured and well behaved, and where advice has been given they have been receptive. The 22 recorded incidents of noisy parties and ASB are within the context of 2,600 new students in the area which represents a small proportion.”

“We won’t be complacent just because Freshers’ Week is over and the dedicated policing team will still be in the area working with and for all residents, student or otherwise. We work closely with, and complement the work and initiatives of the university and the students’ union and will continue to do so throughout the year to ensure that Chester remains a safe place to live, work and study.”

The University of Chester and Chester Students’ Union (CSU) have undertaken their most comprehensive ever exercise designed to remind first year students of their responsibilities towards the areas in which they live, their fellow students and themselves.

Working in conjunction with agencies such as Cheshire Police, they have been promoting important messages about acceptable conduct, personal safety and developing a sense of belonging.

The Rev Dr Lesley Cooke, Dean of Students, said: “As the first years are settling in, many of them away from family for the first time, we impress upon them the significance of valuing the area in which they have made their homes and respecting others.”

Laura Pearsons, general manager of Chester Students’ Union, added: “This is a beautiful city and many of our students choose to stay here once they graduate. We ask the students to respect their new neighbours so that they can gain the same respect in return.”