COMMUNITY leaders in Tarporley met police chiefs to discuss ways to improve communication and how best to tackle crime.
Off icers from the Vale Royal division were in the spotlight this week during the monthly meeting of Tarporley Parish Council.
Councillors told them how a small group of teenagers was wreaking havoc in the village and pleaded with them to go back on the beat.
But the officers said limited resources prevented them from returning to the streets and asked everyone to pull together to tackle crime.
The visit of three officers came hours after firefighters were called out to extinguish a blaze on the village playing field.
Councillors believe the blaze was started by anti-social yobs.
They also told the officers how youths have damaged allotments, thrown bottles at cars and smashed windows at the community centre.
However, the officers said they were reluctant to criminalise children for petty offences.
Parish council chairman Helen Watson also urged police to sharpen their response times.
Chief Inspector Paul McHugh said: 'The visible presence of the police is not an answer in itself.'
Councillors were told of a community support scheme, led by the Cheshire Constabulary, which encourages parish councils to fund a community-based officer to keep an eye on crime.
