CONCERNED residents have slammed youths after a spate of anti-social incidents in the Middle Walk area of the town.

Since Christmas, police officers have embarked on high-visibility patrols in and around Middle Walk – a popular passageway between the east of Knutsford and the town centre.

Residents have raised concerns that high footfall at night, combined with recurring street light issues, has led to groups of youths gathering and creating an intimidating atmosphere.

One Middle Walk resident, who did not want to be named, said: “Every night, we are subjected to the shouting and intimidating behaviour of gangs of youths hanging about outside our homes, not to mention the vandalism to cars and gardens.

“It used to be worst at the weekends with drunks causing a disturbance on the way back home from a night out, but these gangs of youths are making the anti-social behaviour a nightly occurrence.

“The police are being called constantly to come and move these gangs on. I’m sure they have better things to be doing with their time.

“Don’t the parents know what their kids are up to in the evenings or is drinking alcohol around The Moor and causing nuisance to people an acceptable pastime these days?

“The residents of Middle Walk and Ella Grove are in agreement that CCTV would help to curb the problem. It may not solve the problem but at least CCTV would identify the culprits and bring them to justice.”

One recent incident, earlier in March, involved stones being thrown at windows and police tracing two youths responsible. As recently as Wednesday, police say they dealt with another youth who had walked onto the railway line.

Knutsford police tweeted: “In response to call from member of the public, youths stopped in the area of Middle Walk. One dealt with for trespassing on the railway line.”

As a result of such occurrences, members of the town’s police team have spent evenings in the area to deter large gatherings.

Sgt Andrew Roberts said: “We are aware of the anti-social behaviour in Middle Walk and have been patrolling in the area to provide reassurance and to deter anti-social behaviour.

“We will continue to tackle the issue and would urge anyone with information on anti-social behaviour in Middle Walk to contact us on 101.”

Cllr Andrew Malloy, a town councillor in the Over ward in which Middle Walk falls, said that resolving street lighting issues has gone some way to alleviate the problem.

He said: “It has been mentioned a couple of times in Middle Walk and other areas. I had a good walk around with the new PCSO and she seems up to speed with what’s happening.

“They believe they have resolved that now, so it seems to be better than it was.

“It has been an issue, and I believe the lighting is all working now. Some of it was down to some faults and during a period it wasn’t a pleasant time for residents.

“One resident in particular was contacting me quite a lot because it is a main route into town from Manor Park to the Moor. It gets an awful lot of footfall.

“When there is no lighting there as well it does become a concern. With any issues like this, if residents can report it then police can address it.”