POLICE, including plain-clothes officers, have been carrying out extra patrols in parts of March in response to concerns raised by residents at their local Neighbourhood Forum.

Three youths have been detained and two charged with criminal damage following damage done to vehicles in the Wisbech Road area. Advice leaflets have also been distributed to nearby households.

Another individual has been given an �80 penalty notice after being caught urinating in West End Park – a problem that was also highlighted by people in Wimblington and Doddington.

Details were given to March and District Neighbourhood Forum at the end of January as part of the police’s feedback on action taken on issues raised at the previous forum last October.

Those attending last month’s forum were also told that the county’s Highways Authority will be carrying out a pedestrian and vehicle count at two locations in Station Road in May to help determine whether to introduce a pedestrian crossing there.

Participants agreed on a range of issues they wanted to be given priority over the next three months. Those for the police were:

• Speeding from Doddington through Wimblington to March, from the bypass to Doddington Road, Wimblington, and in Station Road and Elm Road, March.

• Anti-social behaviour in green spaces in March, Doddington and Wimblington

• Crime and disorder-related issues after dark.

Priorities identified for other agencies were:

• A youth cafe in March, Wimblington and Doddington

• Surface water flooding in Peas Hill and Sycamore Close, March, and road adoption in March, including Abbeygate Court

• Sewerage problems in Ronalds Way, Doddington

Councillor Kit Owen, chairman of the March and District Forum, said: “It was a very worthwhile meeting and we had lively debates on what is important to the people of this area. Various issues were captured on the night and will now be followed up.

“Watch out for the forthcoming Community Fair at March Market Place on April 18.”