Anti-social behaviour in Helston's Bulwark Estate is actually lower than ever before.

This was the message from Sergeant Ashley Putman, neighbourhood team leader in Helston, speaking at the last meeting of Helston Town Council's play and young people committee.

He acknowledged that fears appeared to relate to vandalism and late night drinking, and the anti-social behaviour could result from that, and said: “All of these things are important to the constabulary and it's important we listen to the community who live there.”

Sergeant Putman said most of the concerns he mentioned were raised when officers held PACT (Partners and Communities Together) meetings, at which there was also talk of young people not having anywhere to play safely.

As a result officers had supported the Friends and Residents of Bulwark Group wherever possible.

“We feel we have been there from the beginning and we have a good eye for the community concerns reflected to us. Our general opinion is that anti-social behaviour reports have declined,” he said.

“We would respond to any increase in anti-social behaviour that should occur and will be monitoring, as with any new scheme, to make sure there's not some response. If we look at reports of anti-social behaviour in Bulwark Road we are in very low single figures in any given month - ones, possibly twos.”

Sergeant Putman added that levels of anti-social behaviour had improved over the last few years and said: “We're very hopeful that good facilities driven by a desire in the community, and funded in part by the community, is the very best way of meeting the needs and creating community ownership.”