EFFORTS to tackle anti-social behaviour is having a real impact in a Flintshire town where, until recently, some felt unsafe to go out at night.

The Leader reported in June on the concerns of Buckley Mayor, Cllr Charlie Cordery, regarding anti-social behaviour (ASB).

Cllr Cordery, who is also chairman of the town's anti-social behaviour working group, explained then that the common problems included large gatherings of "intimidating" youths near the town centre Spar store, vandalism to public toilets, criminal damage to shop fronts and dangerous e-scooter use within the Precinct Shopping Centre.

At the end of June, North Wales PCC Andy Dunbobbin and Flintshire South Inspector Iwan Jones attended a Buckley Town Council meeting.

Mr Dunbobbin told the meeting he was "committed to working alongside elected members to help resolve these issues and make Buckley a safer environment for everyone."

And Insp Jones told the council: "There's a lot of work that's gone on, but there's a lot of work that we still need to do."

North Wales Police issued a statement last week regarding the success of its work to tackle the ASB in the town.

A spokesman said: "We’re aware of several incidents of anti-social behaviour that have happened in the Buckley area over the last few weeks. 

"With the help of members of the public and partner organisations, most of those involved have now been identified.

"Our Neighbourhood Policing Team have issued ‘yellow cards’ to the youths involved and parents have been spoken to. 

"Most parents we spoke with were shocked to hear what their children had been up to.

The Leader: Cllr Cordery with Andy White, town events managerCllr Cordery with Andy White, town events manager (Image: Staff)

"We’re appealing to parents to please keep a closer eye on where your children are going and what they’re doing… we could be knocking on your door next."

Buckley Mayor Cllr Charlie Cordery told the Leader on Monday: "There has been a noticeable change in the town - a real marked improvement.

"North Wales Police has done really well considering the constraints they have and they deserve credit.

"This is not something that is going to change overnight but this has been a really worthwhile engagement with the community."

Speaking of the impact of the work on the town, he added: "This has been massively important to Buckley - there were people who, before, were afraid to go out of an evening; even just to the Spar or Aldi.

"That kind of mindset is now changing.

"And we're not seeing the amount of vandalism we did in terms of smashed windows, flowerbeds overturned and the toilets being attacked.

"You also don't see complications with youths outside of an evening now.

"The town itself appears to be relatively quiet and it is moving forwards in the way it should do.

"The way North Wales Police has been engaging with people is really bearing fruit and is having a tangible effect on the town."