AS austerity cuts continue to bite, changes at Cheshire Constabulary were inevitable as police bosses are forced to cope with tightening budgets and growing communities.

But despite the financial challenges ahead, chief superintendent Andy Southcott has dismissed claims that the restructuring is a cause for concern.

Instead he believes the force shake-up will act to enhance neighbourhood policing by delivering more officers to the frontline.

He said: “I am confident but not arrogant about the changes.

“If we have got it wrong we will change it but I don’t think we have.”

Last week, officers from Warrington relocated to the Charles Stewart House on Museum Street in the town centre.

While the police stations in Risley, Stockton Heath, Penketh and on Arpley Street will remain open as an information point and help desk, officers will now be deployed from the town centre hub.

This is a move which has previously been tested in Ellesmere Port.

Supt Southcott said the success of the trial acted as ‘reassurance’ that the force had made the right decisions to ensure that overall crime remains as its lowest level in 25 years.

He said: “We are not reducing officer numbers. In fact we are increasing officer numbers because we think it is important to keep up visibility.”

But he added that ‘something had to give’ and, if the restructuring had not taken place, redundancies would have been one of the alternatives.

Under the changes, there will be a further 130 officers in Cheshire deployed to local policing while PCSOs numbers will remain the same.

This has meant that some senior figure roles have been stamped out to bring more officers to the frontline.

The force is also investing in technology to improve efficiency on the beat which includes arming officers with iPads.

This is a move that is expected see officers spending more time on the streets rather than in the office.

“Prevention is better than detection. We want to prevent crime from happening. Neighbourhood policing remains an important part of the constabulary’s plan.

“This will keep officers out and in the community on patrol,” he said.

While he admits there will be ‘small loss in time’ spent travelling to certain areas in the town, he added that community policing will remain at the forefront of the constabulary’s plans.