Changes to police deployment under scrutiny

CULCHETH and Glazebury Parish Council is to hold a special meeting tonight to discuss changes to police deployment in the villages.
Parish councillors have expressed deep concern over the decision by Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer to compel officers to begin and end their shifts in Warrington town centre.
The meeting, at Glazebury Methodist Church, will also be attended by representatives of  Croft, Rixton and Woolston parish councils and Birchwood Town Council. It is not open to the public, but a full report will be presented to the monthly meeting of Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council tomorrow (Tuesday).
Chief Superintendent Bill Dutton will be in attendance to field questions from councillors.
The meeting will be chaired by Cllr Chris Vobe (pictured), chairman of Culcheth and Glazebury Parish Council.
He said: “The decision by the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner to compel officers to begin and end their shifts in the centre of Warrington is fundamentally flawed.
“Parish councillors have noted the superb work carried out by local officers in our communities.
“Neighbourhood policing has made a real difference, not just in Culcheth and Glazebury, but in neighbouring parishes too. We are dismayed that the travelling time will negatively impact on the communities in the outlying areas of the town.
“I have convened this special meeting, with representatives of Culcheth and Glazebury, Croft, Birchwood, Rixton and Woolston councils so that councillors can discuss these issues in more depth with representatives from the police.”