POLICE patrolling Barton have asked residents what they would like to see change on their estate.

And it looks like the estate has come a long way since the drugs culture and cars speeding around late into the night were causing sleepless nights for residents.

Now people look more likely to name dog fouling as a main issue.

Each year neighbourhood police talk to people living in their areas to see what they feel they should be doing to make life better.

PCSO Luke Harris said: “The Barton team are about to start the Neighbourhood Action Group consultations for the year.

“This is where we go around the estates and ask them about what their main concerns, problems or issues are in their area.

“The results are then looked at and the top three are picked as the team’s priorities. We would like people to get in contact with the team and let us know.”

Last year’s priorities were antisocial behaviour, drugs and speeding.

But Sue Holden, chairman of the Barton Community Association, said the estate had come a long way in recent years.

She said: “Strangely enough, dog fouling is top of the agenda. Fair play to the police, they have done a lot of work.

“I’d say following closely to that has got to be antisocial behaviour but I think they are getting on top of it. It’s quite difficult to determine what one person sees as antisocial behaviour.

“Some see kids playing football in the street, and that is a nuisance. To me that’s kids enjoying themselves.

“Littering is another big thing. Years ago that wouldn’t have been on the agenda at all.

“But people have got more pride in the estate. There has been a corner turned.”

Grandmother-of-two, Sarah Hatch, who lives in Barton Village Road, said more needed to be done to enforce speed limits.

She said: “From a very personal point of view, it would be better if they enforced the 20 mph speed limit, especially as we have to reverse off our driveways. There is a bend at the top, and at the bottom – they go too fast.

“I think there should be more of a police presence.

We have got the PCSOs but I wouldn’t know any of them. Maybe they should make more of an effort to speak to neighbours.”