Issue 8 November 2014 Schools now equipped In the Public Eye PC MIKE Dawber has been named the Best Country to spot the signs of CSE Crime Fighter for the North West. PACKS containing key information on He received the honour spotting the signs of child sexual exploitation at NFU Mutual’s annual have been sent to schools across the county. awards ceremony at Saddlers Hall in London on Thursday, The move is part of a campaign by Cheshire October 9. Constabulary and its partners to raise awareness to Mike has helped deliver a protect young people across Cheshire. range of crime prevention Each pack contains key information and advice initiatives which have led for teachers and those working with young people to a significant reduction in on the signs and behaviours associated with CSE. farm crime in the Knutsford This is to complement the work already taking area, as well as devising place in schools across Cheshire. the Knutsford Rural Watch scheme. DCI Nigel Wenham, from the Strategic Public Meanwhile, the Estates & Protection Unit, said: “Child sexual exploitation is Police & Crime Commissioner John Dwyer Facilities team, based at our an issue that Cheshire Police and its partners take added: “I take this matter very seriously and have Winsford HQ, won a national extremely seriously and it is important that we called together leaders from all of the organisations environmental award. all continue to work together to deliver a greater who have a role to play in tackling child sexual The accolade recognised understanding of this complex subject. exploitation. Our role is to ensure everything that the Constabulary’s efforts “The latest phase focuses on schools. It is about can be done, is being done and will continue to be to deliver sustainable and raising awareness of the issue amongst teachers done by all agencies at all levels.” environmental initiatives in and others working with young people, encouraging A further meeting of leaders, chairs of child its day-to-day business. Our submission included a them to familiarise themselves with the signs and safeguarding boards and other agencies will be held case study about a project to in December to review progress. behaviours associated with this issue.” reduce costs when disposing of cannabis plants and other waste materials, which was costing around £36,000 a More wanted offenders are swept up in operation year, but has now reduced costs to almost zero. THE return of an operation As well as officers on the as possible so the victims can see Elsewhere, the Police to track down offenders ground at all times of the day and justice being done. & Crime Commissioner evading justice proved a night, harbouring letters were “This operation showed once and Chief Constable have huge success, with 173 sent to those who were believed more that officers won’t take been hosting community engagement events in the arrests. to be assisting offenders and no for an answer when it comes county. The operation was carried out reminding them of the possible to tracking down and searching consequences of their actions. To date, two successful at the end of September across property where an offender events have taken place in Cheshire. Superintendent Pete could be. Crewe and Macclesfield, with The type of arrests were very Crowcroft said: “Operation “The message to officers was the next at Widnes on 3 diverse, from road traffic matters, Hatay is what policing is all about that no stone should be left December. and burglary, through to drugs ensuring that those who evade unturned.” Visit the Constabulary related offences. justice are locked up as quickly website for further details. ‘Tis the season to be on your best behaviour NEXT month, Cheshire Constabulary targeting criminals involved in acquisitive will launch ‘Operation Blue Christmas’ crimes, such as burglary, theft and vehicle as part of a crackdown on crime during crime. To do this we will have high-visibility the festive season. patrols across the county, and officers will be The majority of people will enjoy the taking direct action against criminals.” Christmas period with their family and In addition to acquisitive crimes Operation friends sensibly. But, unfortunately there are Blue Christmas will also target organised a small number of people who use the festive crime, anti-social behaviour, drink driving and season as an opportunity to commit crimes domestic abuse. and behave inappropriately. The force is also committed to tackling Assistant Chief Constable Mark Roberts violent crime over the festive period along said: “I want to send out a clear message to with crimes fuelled by alcohol. anyone planning to go out in Cheshire over And local neighbourhood officers will also the festive season that bad behaviour will not be on hand to offer crime prevention and be tolerated. home security advice for local residents and valuables and ensuring all doors and windows “We recognise that Christmas is a time to businesses. are locked, can help make your home less have fun, and we’re here to support members Stronger Communities manager Andy attractive to possible criminals. of our community to ensure that everyone Williams, added: “I would like to ask residents “The overall aim of this operation is is able to have a safe and enjoyable time to work with us as part of this operation to make Cheshire safer, and by working throughout the holiday season. and take steps to make their homes and together we can all help to achieve that.” “Operation Blue Christmas covers a businesses more secure. Operation Blue Christmas run throughout number of areas, but we will be specifically “Simple changes, such as marking your the festive season and into the New Year. Chief Constable lays down challenge to officers CHIEF Constable Simon Byrne has to excel at and what we need to do less of, Ethics.” issued a series of aspirations he wants then set our priorities by thinking radically.” The Chief’s Conference brought together officers to strive to meet by March He added: “The criticism of targets is that leaders from across the Constabulary to hear next year. they can create perverse behaviour and I how change is needed to meet the significant Mr Byrne outlined these during his latest realise the risks, but we have to balance the financial challenges we face. Chief’s Conference in September. risks, doing nothing is even riskier. Mr Byrne also set out a list of priorities for He would like victim satisfaction up to “What we do is important but we need to the Constabulary. 90%, public confidence in police up to 78% have consistency. They include being visible, providing a swift and 90% of emergency incidents to be “The targets are there to provide priority response when the public needs us most, and attended within 15 minutes. and to give a sense of ambition – they the ‘We Come To You’ promise of being there He also hopes to see shoplifting down by are not to be worshipped as an end in for people when and where they need us. 8%, burglary in a dwelling down by 5.9%, theft themselves. He would also like to ensure officers down 4% and criminal damage down by 8.2%, “They should help us to have an informed deal with crime and anti-social behaviour among other targets. performance conversation about the service effectively, solving more of the cime that He said: “We can’t keep going at the rate we are providing to the public and need to causes the most harm, and deliver better we’re going, we need to decide what we want be set within the context of the Code of victim care than last year. Mental health initiative to roll out Forcewide AN INITIATIVE that allows & Crime Commissioner and sub-regional practitioners to offer insight into the leaders’ board. mental health of people who come into Inspector Kate Woods said: “Police contact with the police is to be rolled officers often come into contact with people out across the county this month. who suffer with their mental health so it’s Operation Emblem has been running in the vital we know and understand the symptoms Northern area since December 2013. It sees and how best to deal with the individual. a mental health nurse attend incidents with a “Training sessions have been taking place police officer to offer advice, and reduce the across the force to raise awareness of the amount of people being arrested for section issues and to ensure that when we come 136 Mental Health Act taken unnecessarily to into contact with such individuals we have hospital for treatment. the confidence to best manage the situation It is an initiative supported by the Police and deal with it appropriately.” Western 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.