CHESHIRE’S Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Dan Price welcomed the Minister of State, Rt Hon Lord David Hanson to Ellesmere Port on his first ministerial visit since his appointment in July.

The Cheshire PCC was awarded £820,000 by the Home Office as part of its Safer Streets funding and the event included a drone demonstration and a look at new CCTV cameras being used to make Cheshire’s streets safer by reducing anti-social behaviour (ASB).

The Safer Streets funding has enabled a range of initiatives to be designed and delivery has started in three target areas, Crewe, Ellesmere Port and Warrington town centre. The work has contributed to ASB incidents reducing by nearly a fifth across the county in the last 12 months.

The event was held at Ellesmere Port police station and welcomed partners who have been instrumental in the delivery and implementation of this work, to hear more about the difference it’s having.

Ellesmere Port and Bromborough MP Justin Madders attended alongside representatives from Cheshire East; Cheshire West and Chester Council and Warrington community safety partners; Warrington and Crewe Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) and Cheshire Constabulary.

One of the main initiatives sees investment into new CCTV cameras in some of the most problematic areas.  Funding has also been used to upgrade existing cameras, improving capability and quality of surveillance.  Local policing teams are making full use of the new and enhanced cameras to deter people from carrying out ASB.

In addition, two new drones have been deployed and four new officers have been trained to use them, adding vital resource to the local policing team. The use of e-scooters, e-bikes and off-road bikes continues to negatively impact on local communities and the team will now have access to these drones to support them to monitor, track and allow the police to seize the vehicles.

Working with Remedi, repeat victims of ASB can receive support from a dedicated Restorative Justice (RJ) practitioner who will identify needs, develop a support plan and provide emotional and practical support.   This has been developed in recognition of the need for enhanced victim confidence and the increasing fear of crime associated with ASB incidents.

Alongside victim support, the RJ practitioner receives referrals from the police and partners to work with perpetrators of ASB, acting as a mentor to help them address their needs.  The RJ practitioner aims to work with them to change their behaviour, understand the impact of their behaviour and reduce reoffending.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Dan Price, said:

“It was great to welcome Lord Hanson to Cheshire and I’m pleased he was able to take time out of his busy schedule to visit Ellesmere Port and find out firsthand about the work being delivered as a result of the Safer Streets funding.

“The initiatives which have been developed were as a direct result of public consultation. By listening to Cheshire residents, their thoughts and ideas on tackling ASB have been brought to life, thanks to this funding from the Home Office.

“I would like to thank all members of the public who gave their views and the many community safety partners, organisations and officers at Cheshire Constabulary for their continued support and engagement.  Together, we will continue in our mission to make Cheshire’s Streets Safer.”

Cheshire Constabulary Assistant Chief Constable, Bill Dutton, said: “With this funding we have invested in innovative technology which has enabled us to put more officers in anti-social behaviour (ASB) hot spot areas at the correct times to crackdown on nuisance behaviour.

“This work has contributed to an 18% reduction in ASB during the past 12-months, and the Constabulary has seen an overall reduction in crime of 9% during this time.

“We have funding provided for this financial year which enables these additional patrols in our top eight hot spot areas across the county. If this funding continues next year and beyond we will be able to continue this enhanced offer to the public.”