PC “Ushers” in New Ideas

Pictured: Huyton Today reporters (l-r) Elizabeth Doran, Stephanie Kettle and Neil Leavesley with Community Police Officer Alan Usher

Huyton Today reporters Kyle Grannell, Elizabeth Doran and Stephanie Kettle chatted to Community Police officer Alan Usher in Huyton Today's offices recently.

The team wanted to know what moves were afoot to create stronger links between the youngsters in the community and the local police. Beat officers have been asked to go into their communities and find out what kind of activities youngsters would like, in an effort to help young people avoid problem situations.

PC Usher told us that, following some dialogue with youngsters, he is working with the various agencies to set up some after school clubs.

He said, “In my experience youth related crime can often be reduced by giving some worthwhile resources or facilities to young people.”

He spoke of giving ownership back to communities and said that the Mosscroft and Seel Road areas were trying hard to develop their own strategies for dealing with problems.

Reporters invited PC Usher to attend one of their school council meetings to enable lines of communication to be opened and allow the police to have a clear picture of the needs of the youngsters.