Community space in Ellesmere Port given makeover after arson attack

Two community spaces in Ellesmere Port are set to be improved as a result of funding from police and crime commissioner (PCC) David Keane’s Community Police Fund.

The fund is provided to all 122 policing communities in Cheshire with community police officers and PCSOs working with local residents to develop bids of up-to £1,000 to fund projects which address local issues.

In the Rossmore policing community, it will pay for new benches to be installed in the park on Lime Street.

It’s after an arson attack destroyed benches in the park which has disheartened the local community and taken away a place for them to meet.

Once lockdown restrictions have eased, the benches and the area around them will be used for community activities or as meeting place for residents and the local police team.

Local community group, Westminster Families, who support vulnerable residents will also use the area to hold ‘forest school’ events or school holiday activities.

Residents in Whitby will see their funding used to install planters and flowers in the small park area on Elm Grove.

The area, which has previously been an anti-social behaviour hotspot, is looked after by the Friends of Elm Grove Community Park voluntary group who revitalised the park in 2017 to make it a space the whole community can enjoy.

The funding will help create a ‘wildlife section’ to make the park even more attractive for local residents.

The Community Police Fund has been developed using money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act (PoCA) 2002. It also links directly to the recently launched initiative to increase police visibility in every community by providing a dedicated Police Constable and PCSO for all 122 areas.

PCC David Keane said: “It’s really important that local residents have a place to meet in the heart of their communities where they feel safe and can enjoy the benefits of being outdoors.

“I was saddened to hear about the arson attack in Lime Park and the negative impact this has had on the local community.

“I hope my Community Police Fund can help rejuvenate the area and can also benefit the residents of Whitby by creating an improved outdoor community space.”

PCSO Andrew Wynne, from the Rossmore local police team, said: “The heart of the community was ripped out by this arson attack. Rebuilding the benches will reclaim the area and generate a new meeting place.

“This funding will help bring the Rossmore community together. We must show that acts of vandalism will not be tolerated; we will rebuild and return stronger.”

PCSO Wendy Dalton, from the Whitby local police team, said: “Friends of Elm Grove Community Park have provided a safe outdoor safe for all members of the community to enjoy.

“The local policing team will use the area to build relationships and engage with school children to encourage them to maintain the area.

“We will also use the area for Covid-compliant community drop in surgeries to engage with residents in the heart of the community.”