Police changes (From Warrington Guardian)

Police changes

A RADICAL shake-up in the way that Warrington is policed will come into force by April, next year.

Policing in Cheshire will have a new, higher-profile look, with more officers visible on the streets.

Police say that they will be working to provide long-term solutions to crime and disorder problems.

A spokesman for Cheshire Police said: "It is a pattern of policing drawn up after a lengthy study by the force of what people want from their police officers and what type of policing is most effective."

The study revealed that the police are performing well (total crime fell by six per cent between April and September this year) but that public confidence is falling while demand is increasing

Instead of the present six divisions, the force will have 18 Neighbourhood Policing Units (NPUs), commanded by an inspector and consisting of Community Action Teams, targeting specific areas.

The spokesman added: "The NPUs will concentrate on preventing and detecting crime, targeting offenders, building contacts in the community, resolving problems by working with local organisations and individuals, and providing officers who are visible and accessible."

However, to provide more community policing, the number of officers carrying out fast response is being considerably reduced.