by Lynn Cox

lcox@thekmgroup.co.uk

Parts of Medway are to get extra help to tackle anti-social behaviour.

People who live in selected areas have been invited to become “resident champions” to have their say on problems in their neighbourhoods – and how to stop them.

The champions met for the first time last week and have decided the first thing they need to do is find something to keep youngsters entertained.

Andy McGrath, of Medway Council, said: “The residents’ champions will have the information and support to enable them to make a real difference to the area where they live.

“They will have the skills and knowledge to effectively hold Medway Council and Kent Police in Medway to account, ensuring we take the right decisions to keep anti-social behaviour in check.”

The new government-backed scheme includes a cash fund of £10,000.

It is being launched in the Chatham Central, Gillingham North and the Luton and Wayfield wards after the Medway Community Safety Partnership identified them as areas to focus on. Medway Council invited nine people from those wards to a workshop on Wednesday .

The residents are already actively working to improve their neighbourhoods in a number of ways, through residents’ associations, Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meetings and other community groups.

The workshop gave them an insight into the powers available to prevent and tackle problems, including anti-social Behaviour orders, anti-social behaviour agreements and parenting orders.

Residents were also asked about specific issues in their areas and to identify priorities for the police, the council and other agencies.

The session ended with agreement that the money will be spent on improved provision for youth activities in the three wards.

The volunteers will report back to their residents’ group to help decide how the money is spent.

Ch Supt Steve Corbishley, police area commander in Medway and chairman of Medway Community Safety Partnership, said: “One of the vital things needed to keep the trust of the communities we serve is to ensure they have a voice, and more importantly, feel what they say can make a difference.

“Schemes like this ensure this happens.”

John Pullen, 57, from New Road, Chatham, was among those attending the day.

He said: “It was an extremely good exercise. There was a lot of information given that will help us and our neighbourhoods understand what is and can be done.

“Hopefully we can now take things forward and build a better community.”