WARRINGTON, and other key urban areas across Cheshire, are set to benefit from “Safer Streets Summer” – a major summer-long safety initiative aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour, retail and street crime in town centres and public spaces.
The initiative officially launched yesterday (Monday) with a day of action in Warrington, marking the beginning of a programme of targeted activity with organisations working collaboratively across the county to keep communities safe.
The nationwide Home Office initiative puts policing at the heart of neighbourhoods. It will focus on five main areas:
• Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB)
• Crime and enforcement
• Diversion
• Support
• Visibility and engagement.
Throughout the campaign, officers will engage directly with residents and businesses through door-to-door visits in key urban areas.
These discussions will help tailor local responses, address concerns and inform further action – all backed by data-driven insights from crime mapping and community feedback.
Other activity will include high-visibility patrols in town centres, plain-clothes operations targeting shoplifters and pickpockets, joint licensing and trading standards checks and proactive work tackling e-bike misuse, street drinking and vandalism.
Teams will also deploy mobile CCTV units and partner with street pastors to ensure people stay safe whilst enjoying the nighttime economy Cheshire has to offer.
Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner Dan Price’s SWAP Summer Support Fund, is enabling local groups to put on engaging activities for young people during the school holidays, diverting them from getting involved in crime or anti-social behaviour. Twenty nine projects across the county have been given funding of up to £2,000 each for the summer period.
Mr Price said: “Everyone deserves to feel safe where they live, work and spend time. This summer organisations are stepping up to make that happen.
“By working together with our local partners, we’re taking action that makes our high streets safer, our communities thrive and builds trust with the people of Cheshire.”
Assistant Chief Constable 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.
“Anti-social 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.”
Earlier this year the Government announced funding for Cheshire Constabulary as part of its Neighbourhood Policing Guarantee with an ambition of an additional 48 police officers in the county.
You can find out more about the summer-long campaign and keep up to date with the activities by visiting the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner or Cheshire Constabulary websites.
