Minister visits Cheshire to witness work on anti-social behaviour

Recently, 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 he was appointed in July this year.

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. Local MP Justin Madders also attended and representatives from Cheshire East; Cheshire West and Chester Council and Warrington community safety partners; Warrington and Crewe Business Improvement Districts (BIDs) as well as 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. The use of this innovative technology is being tested in Ellesmere Port as part of the project.

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 first hand 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.”

Ends

Editors notes

For further information please contact Janet Hare on opccmediadesk@cheshire.police.uk

Image caption: PCC Dan Price, Minister Hanson and Justin Madders MP

About the role of Police and Crime Commissioner

Public accountability for the delivery and performance of the police service is placed into the hands of the Commissioner on behalf of the electorate.

Main duties

The Commissioner’s main duties are to:

• Hold the Chief Constable to account on behalf of the people of Cheshire.
• Secure the effectiveness and efficiency of Cheshire Constabulary.
• Decide the budget, allocate assets and funds to the Chief Constable; and set the police council tax precept for the force area.
• Set the strategic direction and objectives of the force through the Police and Crime Plan, which must have regard to the Strategic Policing Requirement set by the Home Secretary.
• Prepare and issue an annual report on delivery against the objectives set within the Police and Crime Plan.
• Publish information to enable people to assess the performance of the Commissioner and Chief Constable.
• Monitor complaints made against officers and staff, whilst having responsibility for complaints against the Chief Constable.
• Appoint the Chief Constable.

Additional responsibilities

The Commissioner has wider responsibilities than those relating solely to the police force, including:

• The ability to provide or commission services intended to help victims and witnesses of crime and anti-social behaviour.
• The ability to provide or commission services that will secure, or contribute to securing, crime and disorder reduction.
• The ability to bring together Community Safety Partnerships at the force level.
• A duty to ensure that all collaboration agreements with other Commissioners and forces deliver value for money or enhance the effectiveness of policing capabilities and resilience.
• A wider responsibility for the enhancement of the delivery of criminal justice in their area.

The Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, is a non-political body that enables the PCC to fulfil his role and responsibilities.