CRIME has dropped considerably in Upton over the past year, police told residents at the town’s annual meeting on Tuesday (April 12).

Insp Clive Griffiths said that crime has dropped by 15 per cent, incidents of anti-social behaviour by a third and that criminal damage by almost 50 per cent over a 12-month period.

“We have been very encouraged by the progress that has been made in Upton over the past year,” he said. “That is down to a lot of work going on behind the scenes, but in particular a lot of good partnership work that is taking place in this area.”

He said that a designated public place order, imposed in Upton to give police additional powers to tackle alcohol-related anti-social behaviour, appeared to be proving a success.

“There was a lot of discussion about whether or not we needed and alcohol order in Upton, but it does seem to have worked,” he said. “Anti-social behaviour in Upton last summer was almost negligible, and there are not many places that I can say that about.

“We are pleased that there has been a distinct improvement in the quality of life and we hope that this is something people have noticed.”

Upton town councillor Eric White questioned the number of instances of underage drinking in the town.

However Insp Griffiths told him that there had been very few incidents.

“We have been working closely with licensees and it is all looking very encouraging,” he said.

*The town meeting was delayed for about 15 minutes after town mayor Andrea Morgan left the room complaining of a severe headache while delivering her annual report.

She was attended to by police and councillors, including former GP George Wilson, and the ambulance service was called. After being checked over, Coun Morgan was given the all-clear.