Police pledge is common sense

A GOVERNMENT Policing Pledge is a “common sense” approach according to a senior Cheshire police officer.
The force is supporting the National Policing Pledge which identifies minimum standards for the service across the country.
Over the past three years the Cheshire Police Authority has invested money to create neighbourhood policing units with local uniformed officers at the heart of communities.
Deputy Chief Constable Graeme Gerrard (pictured) said: “Everyone who lives and works in Cheshire, Halton and Warrington will be benefiting from the changes we have made.
“Local communities now have local officers in their neighbourhood, patrolling the streets and playing a part in everyday community life, deterring criminals and reducing the number of crimes being committed.”
He said crime had fallen during the past year in all categories and more criminals were being brought to court as the detection rate increased.
Mr Gerrard – a former Warrington police chief – said the commitment to neighbourhood policing was in line with the pledge. Improvements had also been made to giving out information, including service desks with dedicated staff whose primary role was to contact and update victims concerning their reported crime.
“We have just completed a project over the Christmas period that will provide local people with local crime information over the internet which will be updated monthly in line with standards set within the policing pledge,” he said.
People can log on to the website at www.cheshire.police.uk where they can access localised information on crime, together with guidance from local policing teams of what it means.
Mr Gerrard added: “The publication of the Policing Pledge is an indication that the Government is adopting a common sense approach to policing which we here in Cheshire welcome.
“This approach signals a move away from the emphasis on targets that were not always appropriate, allowing us to concentrate on delivering a service where officers use their discretion to deliver the best possible outcome for victims. It will also allow us to take into account the wider needs of the community when dealing with issues such as antisocial behaviour.”