Merseyside Police have identified some of the key areas to tackle in the fight against antisocial behaviour.
As part of the "antisocial behaviour week of action", both police and St Helens Council outreach teams held several events around the borough in an attempt to make inroads to the community and address concerns. The ECHO caught up with police Sgt Vicki Kendall and council outreach worker Debbie Hill.
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Debbie, who works with "troubled" young people in the community on a regular basis, told the ECHO: "There are certain areas that have reputations around them and are labelled but I think no areas are particularly bad.
"Us and the police have had a few dispersal zones set up across the borough such as the Duckeries in Parr and the town centre.
"But we haven't had to bring one in for a few months so I think it really goes to show that our efforts in getting through to the community is working."
This was following high profile incidents based around St Helens town centre - including a delivery driver who was attacked by a "group of 15" young people - footage of which was shared with the ECHO.
The footage shows a delivery driver surrounded by a group of teenagers as they kick him to the floor. Witnesses claim to have seen the group 'biting' the man, and shouting racist abuse.
When asked about the town centre, Debbie said: "We don't think some areas are particularly bad, but we have done more work in certain areas."
Police and the council claim their week of action against antisocial behaviour was a success - Sgt Kendall explained the community has engaged strongly with their attempts to make themselves more visible in the community. Earlier in the year, Merseyside Police described tackling antisocial behaviour as a 'key priority'.
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