Parish chairman calls on
residents to register for
messages about their area

POULTON Parish Council has backed the work of its dedicated community support officer from Cheshire Police, as Woolston faces up to losing one as part of budget cuts.

Clr Ian Johnson is chairman of Poulton with Fearnhead Parish Council, which funds the £12,500 annual salary.

He said having a dedicated CSO for the area has helped reduce crime in recent months.

Clr Johnson said: “Councillors welcomed the figures and thank police for working in the local community.”

Clr Johnson is also chairman of Woolston Parish Council.

As revealed in the Warrington Guardian, the area is set to lose a dedicated CSO as John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, continues to cut costs.

Mr Dwyer has said CSOs will still patrol parish areas, but that any parish council that wants a dedicated CSO must pay for it.

Despite backing the need for one, Clr Johnson says Woolston Parish Council cannot afford to pay the salary due to a low precept in the area.

He raised concerns over businesses being put at risk on Woolston Grange during a meeting with Mr Dwyer.

Cheshire Police is recruiting 15 CSOs this year, but after leavers are taken into account, overall numbers will remain at 222 in Cheshire.

Clr Johnson is appealing for residents to use the free Cheshire Police Alert system to get information on issues in the area.

He added: “I encourage both residents and businesses to register to receive important details from the police at a very specific local level.

“Awareness of anything physically occurring including traffic details, any suspicious activity or trends in the area is a valuable tool in protecting against crime.”

You can sign up for community information via e-mail, text or voicemail to your landline. To do so go to cheshirepolicealert.co.uk or complete at form at Fearnhead Cross Community Centre on Insall Road.