THE police and crime commissioner has hit back at claims he is focusing cuts in Labour areas.

John Dwyer has criticised Warrington North MP Helen Jones for her comments, describing her actions as frustrating.

Earlier this week, the Warrington Guardian reported concerns made by Mrs Jones about the Cheshire Police restructuring plans.

She said the changes would ‘dramatically reduce the time that police and PCSOs can spend in the area they police and fundamentally undermines community policing’.

Mrs Jones added: “It is no use the commissioner telling us that there will be no impact on policing if this goes ahead.

"I am seriously concerned that now we have a commissioner who stood as a Conservative candidate for the job he is taking political decisions about where the cuts will fall and that Labour areas will suffer."

But Mr Dwyer has argued that these comments are incorrect.

He said: “As usual Helen Jones has chosen to go to the media with a statement without checking the facts.

“I am keen to develop a proper working relationship with Helen, to benefit the communities she represents, but her refusal to speak to me is quite frustrating. 

“The fact is that this year Cheshire unlike most other constabularies will be increasing its police officer establishment by 53, whilst maintaining the PCSO establishment at 220.

“As a result of my root and branch review of the Constabulary there will be an extra 130 police officers deployed to local policing.

“In no way could this be interpreted by anyone, even Helen Jones, as a reduction in police officers.

He added: “Whilst it is true that officers will have to travel to areas they’re policing, from the briefing point, the constabulary has put in place arrangements to ensure that officers and PCSOs are on their appointed beats as quickly as possible. 

“The chief constable has convinced me that these arrangements will further improve policing in Cheshire and the police presence on our streets.” 

He continued: “Helen Jones is totally out of order suggesting I will be focusing police cuts on Labour areas.

“There are no police cuts this year and all areas are being treated by me, as they always have been and will continue to be, in an even handed way.

“Had Helen Jones made contact with me she would have been told this, saving her embarrassment in the local media.”