In the Public EyePC MIKE Dawber has been named the Best Country Crime Fighter for the North West.

He received the honour at NFU Mutual’s annual awards ceremony at Saddlers Hall in London on Thursday, October 9.

Mike has helped deliver a range of crime prevention initiatives which have led to a significant reduction in farm crime in the Knutsford area, as well as devising the Knutsford Rural Watch scheme.

Meanwhile, the Estates & Facilities team, based at our Winsford HQ, won a national environmental award.

The accolade recognised the Constabulary’s efforts to deliver sustainable and environmental initiatives in its day-to-day business.

Our submission included a case study about a project to reduce costs when disposing of cannabis plants and other waste materials, which was costing around £36,000 a year, but has now reduced costs to almost zero.

Elsewhere, the Police & Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable have been hosting community engagement events in the county.

To date, two successful events have taken place in Crewe and Macclesfield, with the next at Widnes on 3 December.

Visit the Constabulary website for further details.

Schools now equipped to spot the signs of CSEPACKS containing key information on spotting the signs of child sexual exploitation have been sent to schools across the county.

The move is part of a campaign by Cheshire Constabulary and its partners to raise awareness to protect young people across Cheshire.

Each pack contains key information and advice for teachers and those working with young people on the signs and behaviours associated with CSE. This is to complement the work already taking place in schools across Cheshire.

DCI Nigel Wenham, from the Strategic Public Protection Unit, said: “Child sexual exploitation is an issue that Cheshire Police and its partners take extremely seriously and it is important that we all continue to work together to deliver a greater understanding of this complex subject.

“The latest phase focuses on schools. It is about raising awareness of the issue amongst teachers and others working with young people, encouraging them to familiarise themselves with the signs and behaviours associated with this issue.”

Police & Crime Commissioner John Dwyer added: “I take this matter very seriously and have called together leaders from all of the organisations who have a role to play in tackling child sexual exploitation. Our role is to ensure everything that can be done, is being done and will continue to be done by all agencies at all levels.”

A further meeting of leaders, chairs of child safeguarding boards and other agencies will be held in December to review progress.

Issue 8 November

2014

THE return of an operation to track down offenders evading justice proved a huge success, with 173 arrests.

The operation was carried out at the end of September across Cheshire.

The type of arrests were very diverse, from road traffic matters, and burglary, through to drugs related offences.

As well as officers on the ground at all times of the day and night, harbouring letters were sent to those who were believed to be assisting offenders and reminding them of the possible consequences of their actions.

Superintendent Pete Crowcroft said: “Operation Hatay is what policing is all about ensuring that those who evade justice are locked up as quickly

as possible so the victims can see justice being done.

“This operation showed once more that officers won’t take no for an answer when it comes to tracking down and searching property where an offender could be.

“The message to officers was that no stone should be left unturned.”

More wanted offenders are swept up in operation

CHIEF Constable Simon Byrne has issued a series of aspirations he wants officers to strive to meet by March next year.

Mr Byrne outlined these during his latest Chief’s Conference in September.

He would like victim satisfaction up to 90%, public confidence in police up to 78% and 90% of emergency incidents to be attended within 15 minutes.

He also hopes to see shoplifting down by 8%, burglary in a dwelling down by 5.9%, theft down 4% and criminal damage down by 8.2%, among other targets.

He said: “We can’t keep going at the rate we’re going, we need to decide what we want

to excel at and what we need to do less of, then set our priorities by thinking radically.”

He added: “The criticism of targets is that they can create perverse behaviour and I realise the risks, but we have to balance the risks, doing nothing is even riskier.

“What we do is important but we need to have consistency.

“The targets are there to provide priority and to give a sense of ambition – they are not to be worshipped as an end in themselves.

“They should help us to have an informed performance conversation about the service we are providing to the public and need to be set within the context of the Code of

Ethics.”The Chief’s Conference brought together

leaders from across the Constabulary to hear how change is needed to meet the significant financial challenges we face.

Mr Byrne also set out a list of priorities for the Constabulary.

They include being visible, providing a swift response when the public needs us most, and the ‘We Come To You’ promise of being there for people when and where they need us.

He would also like to ensure officers deal with crime and anti-social behaviour effectively, solving more of the cime that causes the most harm, and deliver better victim care than last year.

‘Tis the season to be on your best behaviourNEXT month, Cheshire Constabulary will launch ‘Operation Blue Christmas’ as part of a crackdown on crime during the festive season.

The majority of people will enjoy the Christmas period with their family and friends sensibly. But, unfortunately there are a small number of people who use the festive season as an opportunity to commit crimes and behave inappropriately.

Assistant Chief Constable Mark Roberts said: “I want to send out a clear message to anyone planning to go out in Cheshire over the festive season that bad behaviour will not be tolerated.

“We recognise that Christmas is a time to have fun, and we’re here to support members of our community to ensure that everyone is able to have a safe and enjoyable time throughout the holiday season.

“Operation Blue Christmas covers a number of areas, but we will be specifically

targeting criminals involved in acquisitive crimes, such as burglary, theft and vehicle crime. To do this we will have high-visibility patrols across the county, and officers will be taking direct action against criminals.”

In addition to acquisitive crimes Operation Blue Christmas will also target organised crime, anti-social behaviour, drink driving and domestic abuse.

The force is also committed to tackling violent crime over the festive period along with crimes fuelled by alcohol.

And local neighbourhood officers will also be on hand to offer crime prevention and home security advice for local residents and businesses.

Stronger Communities manager Andy Williams, added: “I would like to ask residents to work with us as part of this operation and take steps to make their homes and businesses more secure.

“Simple changes, such as marking your

valuables and ensuring all doors and windows are locked, can help make your home less attractive to possible criminals.

“The overall aim of this operation is to make Cheshire safer, and by working together we can all help to achieve that.”

Operation Blue Christmas run throughout the festive season and into the New Year.

Chief Constable lays down challenge to officers

AN INITIATIVE that allows practitioners to offer insight into the mental health of people who come into contact with the police is to be rolled out across the county this month.

Operation Emblem has been running in the Northern area since December 2013. It sees a mental health nurse attend incidents with a police officer to offer advice, and reduce the amount of people being arrested for section 136 Mental Health Act taken unnecessarily to hospital for treatment.

It is an initiative supported by the Police

& Crime Commissioner and sub-regional leaders’ board.

Inspector Kate Woods said: “Police officers often come into contact with people who suffer with their mental health so it’s vital we know and understand the symptoms and how best to deal with the individual.

“Training sessions have been taking place across the force to raise awareness of the issues and to ensure that when we come into contact with such individuals we have the confidence to best manage the situation and deal with it appropriately.”

Mental health initiative to roll out Forcewide

Western news

Eastern news

Northern news

• Cheshire police are running a new initiative aimed at keeping the people of Chester safe when they are out enjoying themselves at night. Operation ‘Take A Breath’ involves supplying door staff at certain locations with breath testing equipment to test the levels of alcohol on anyone who they believe has had too much to drink, before entering the premises. The initiative aims to encourage responsible drinking and to educate people about alcohol-related harm.

• Stars of the British Superbikes visited Chester ahead of the Oulton Park round of the MCE Insurance British Superbike Championships in October. Triple champion Shane ‘Shakey’ Byrne was joined by a host of riders to meet officers of the Cheshire and North Wales Police Bikesafe initiative, a police-led motorcycle project. The workshops explore the main riding hazards that face a biker, and also help discover a rider’s strengths and weaknesses and encourage further training.

• Retailers in Northwich can feel reassured after a campaign targeting shoplifters was launched. Operation Elne, led by the Special Constabulary, saw officers conduct patrols in uniform and plain clothes to tackle retail crime, reduce anti-social behaviour and reassure the public. Officers had immediate results with the arrest of a shoplifter and recovery of stolen goods.

• A pensioner who indecently assaulted boys at a private school in Cheshire in the 1970s has been jailed. Keith Cavendish-Coulson, of Crookham Court in Berkshire, pleaded guilty to 42 counts of indecent assault at Chester Crown Court on Wednesday 5th November. He was sentenced to 6 years and 9 months behind bars. Police investigating sexual abuse at Terra Nova School near Holmes Chapel in the 1970s arrested Cavendish-Coulson in August 2013. The 71-year-old had previously worked at the school teaching French during the 1970s. As the case unfolded it became clear that the 25 victims in this case had been subjected to regular abuse by Cavendish-Coulson either at the school or at their home if they were being privately tutored.

• Five suspected drug dealers have been arrested after Cheshire Police raided three houses in mid-Cheshire. Officers found significant amounts of drugs and cash during the raids at premises in Congleton and Middlewich. Inspector Sue Mills said: “In the space of just a few days the results have been encouraging and we will continue to build on this success. This week of targeted action was borne out of weeks of intelligence gathering, resulting in a series of drug warrants aimed at tackling those involving themselves in drug dealing and supply. We are by no means complacent, and we know there are still people out there involved in the supply of drugs. Targeting these individuals who are a blight on the local community remains a priority for us and we will continue to pursue them.”

• Police & Crime Commissioner John Dwyer has agreed in principle to progress the relocation of Widnes police station to John Briggs House as local people are in favour of the move. 94% of people who responded to the public consultation, which ran for 4 weeks during September, agreed that the relocation of Widnes police station is appropriate and 97% (217 people) agreed that John Briggs House is accessible for local people.

• More than 100 police officers, PCSOs, Special Constables and police staff took park in Operation Crossbow 2, a joint cross-border operation conducted with Merseyside Police. The intention was to deny criminals the use of the roads, to identify and prosecute traffic offences, and to build relationships with the community and partners. The primary tactic was to utilise both mobile and static ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) to identify offences, together with targeting hot spots of criminality in both policing areas. The operation, led by DCI Paul Beauchamp, was a great success, and resulted in more than 700 vehicles stopped,14 arrests, 35 vehicle seizures, 30 fixed penalty notices, one person fined for red diesel, eight notices issued by trading standards and five people reported for benefit fraud.

• Scores of youngsters attended a movie night organised by officers in Warrington East. The diversionary event, the third held this year, was staged in October at Culcheth High School and was aimed at getting young people off the streets and give them something to do in the evening. It was organised by PCSO Steve Dodd and the team at Warrington East Neighbourhood Policing Unit, and funding was secured to cover the costs with cinema snacks also provided.

Future initiatives

Two Years In Office

• November 21 marks two years since the Police & Crime Commissioner took his oath of office.

• Crime has continued to fall across Cheshire and is at its lowest levels since the 1990s.

• The programme to recruit 100 officers is well on track and they are set to be in place in the new year.

• More than £500,000 of victim services have been commissioned including a restorative justice hub, mediation services and a victims’ information pack.

• Over 100 Special Constables have recruited and Cheshire currently has the highest ratio of Specials to regular officers in the North West.

• £30,000 has been invested in participatory budgeting in Runcorn. Ten projects were funded, including a job club, lunch club for isolated older people and an education programme for young people not in education, employment or training.

• Nine Police Contact Points in situ, with four more planned by the end of November. They give the public access to a range of information presented in an FAQ touch screen format, and the ability to contact the Constabulary via telephone, video technology or webchat.

• The Working Together community engagement events hosted by the Chief Constable and Police & Crime Commissioner will continue early next year. The next event is at Riverside College, Widnes from 6.30-8.15pm on December 3.

• The Emergency Services Carol Concert, jointly organised by Cheshire Constabulary, Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service and the North West Ambulance Service., will take place on 2 December at Chester Cathedral.

The selection process for PCSOs in Cheshire has been changed to include the views of young people. It has come as a result of a review of the selection process undertaken by Youth Ambassador Dominic Rogers.

Students from the Winsford Academy observed the PCSO selection process which included interviews incorporating scenarios and questions directly from the young people.

Dominic said: “I’ve been working with the Constabulary’s HR department to see how young people can get involved in the selection process. Getting them involved in the PCSO process is the first stage, which I hope to continue to develop alongside young people from across the county.”

Meanwhile, the All Party Parliamentary Group for Children and Young People has released its report on relationships between children, young people and the police, and mentions the Constabulary’s good work.

Dominic added: “It’s great the positive work that’s already happening in Cheshire has been highlighted, as well as the steps being taken to continually improve relationships between young people and the police.”

Public to have greater say on punishmentsCOMMUNITY Remedy has been introduced as part of the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 to give victims of low level crime and anti-social behaviour a greater say in how offenders should be punished.

During the summer, John Dwyer Police & Crime Commissioner asked the public what punishments they thought would be a suitable alternative in cases where it is considered that a community resolution is more appropriate than going to court.

Mr Dwyer said: “I was delighted that over 500 people took part in the survey and as a result of the feedback, I have now published my Community Remedy Document that victims and police officers will use to discuss the offence to see if a community remedy would be appropriate.

“Victims will be able to choose from a list of options, including having the offender repair the damage, replace stolen property, unpaid work in the local area, a face to face conversation, letter of apology, mediation or a combination of several options.”

Meanwhile, the Commissioner is inviting community groups and organisations to bid for a share of £60,000 to provide support to victims of hate crime.

Organisations who work with diverse community groups are invited to pitch for a share of the money to add value to existing services across the Cheshire policing area by supporting victims of hate crime and helping them to cope and recover.

Mr Dwyer is also in the process of

commissioning an aftercare service to victims of sexual assault or rape in Cheshire that helps them to cope with their trauma and to recover as fully as they are able.

In a funding alliance with public sector partners, the service provider will be commissioned to provide full time independent sexual violence advice and initial counselling services for men and women of all ages in Cheshire.

Mr Dwyer said: “It is vital to understand what experiences victims have had and what their needs and expectations are from the police and the services that are provided.

“My office has held meetings and focus groups with victims of rape and sexual assault and I have commissioned an independent research company to conduct an in-depth study of the needs of victims.”

Youth Ambassador’s Update