Operational day of action marks start of Safer Streets Summer initiative in Cheshire

The initiative is part of the ongoing neighbourhood policing work, with officers increasing their presence in hotspot areas and working with partner agencies to keep town centres across the county safe.

Our focus for the Safer Streets Summer initiative will be on the following areas: 

• Anti-social behaviour (ASB) 
• Crime and enforcement 
• Diversion and support 
• Visibility and engagement

To rollout the initiative in Cheshire, representatives from Cheshire Police, the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC) and partner organisations including local councillors, youth services, Environmental Protection Agency, Trading Standards and Home Office teams, came together for a launch event at Warrington Borough Council offices on Monday 30 June.

Assistant Chief Constable for Neighbourhood Policing Ali Ross said:

“In Cheshire we have a real focus on neighbourhood policing and will continue this work throughout the summer to support this initiative and keep our communities safe.

“This will be done alongside partners, who our dedicated local officers will continue to work with to protect, support and reassure residents and businesses across the county. By working together we are able to go further in tackling the issues that matter the most to our communities and ensure Cheshire remains a safe place for everyone who lives, works and visits here.

“Over the summer there will be a number of activities taking place across Cheshire that fall under Safer Summer Streets, including further operations tackling retail crime, street robbery and anti-social behaviour in our town centres and local communities.

“Antisocial behaviour, retail crime and street crime have a big impact on local communities and will not be tolerated in Cheshire. Those who commit these offences can expect to face the consequences of their actions.”

Following the inputs a day of policing activity took place in Warrington town centre, led by Sergeant Matt Salmon.

Actions included a joint operation with teams from trading standards relating to the sale of illegal tobacco and vapes, surveying retail staff across the town in regards to their experiences with shoplifting, anti-social behaviour and staff safety and commercial waste checks on licenced properties and shops.

The day also saw representatives from Warrington Youth Zone joining officers on the beat across the town, engaging with members of the public of all ages and familiarising them with the services on offer to them.

Results from the day included:

• The seizing of over 750 illegal vape products that did not adhere to recently introduced legislation
• Approximately 100 retail staff (including those from shops, licenced premises and commercial properties linked to historic anti-social behaviour) being surveyed by officers and representatives from the Business Improvement District (BID) about their experiences of retail crime and shoplifting, anti-social behaviour, general staff safety and how police can work with them to improve this – with many retailers expressing interest in signing up for the localised Link Radio scheme to tackling retail crime
• Officers and Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) representatives conducting commercial waste checks at 44 properties across the town, finding 13 had no licence whatsoever, with appropriate enforcement being considered as a result.

Police Sergeant Matt Salmon, who oversaw the day of action, said:

“With Warrington having the largest town centre population in the county, it was an ideal location to demonstrate the commitment the Constabulary has to the Safer Street Summer project with a high degree of uniformed visibility.

“The day also provided an opportunity for the Constabulary’s partner agencies to meet one another, discuss engagement opportunities, and most importantly, engage in relevant activity across Cheshire to have a positive impact on delivering the core principles that make up Safer Streets Summer.

“It was great to get into Warrington town centre with our partners and actively show residents that we listen and understand the concerns they have regarding a number of issues. Throughout the summer, there will be further activities planned, such as bespoke operations designed to disrupt and deter the anti-social and dangerous riding of scrambler and e-bikes, that will run alongside the numerous ongoing operations already in place to keep our streets safe.”