Steve becomes the newest CAT out on the beat (From Warrington Guardian)

Steve becomes the newest CAT out on the beat

COMMUNITIES will benefit when a new set of bobbies start to pound the streets of Northwich and Winsford.

Northwich's latest Community Action Team (CAT) recruit, PC Steve Jones, is already getting out and about in Witton and new special constables sworn in at a ceremony this summer will soon be putting their skills to good use.

PC Jones has been busy building up relationships with members of the community, something he will continue to do to ensure he is in touch with people's views and concerns.

He said: "I want people to see me as someone they can trust and approach with any issues that are affecting them.

"People will already have seen me in Witton and over the next few weeks I'll be out as often as I can talking to residents, young people, businesses - anyone and everyone really - to get an idea of how people feel about life in the area."

PC Jones has already spent some time working in Northwich and has been involved in operations to tackle issues from under age drinking to anti-social behaviour.

Meanwhile, four special constables will be winging their way over to Northwich now they have completed a 15-week training course, with one special heading to Winsford.

Tina Shelton, force specials co-ordinator, said: "The training programme they have completed is tough.

"It's similar in many ways to the training completed by regular police officers and it really puts officers through their paces."

She added: "The new recruits are equipped with all the powers regular police officers possess - they have power of arrest, work on the beat, conduct breath tests, work undercover and get involved in operations involving drugs, public disorder and much more."

For more information about becoming a special ring Tina on 01244 614026 or visit the website www.cheshire.police.uk.

To contact PC Jones ring 0845 458 6392, which is an answering service that is regularly checked and responded to.

The Northwich CAT team can also be contacted on Northwich.cat@pnn.Cheshire.

police.uk.