Collaborative working helping to keep Chester City Centre safe over Christmas

Officers in Chester were out in force last weekend as part of a joint operation to help keep the city safe over Christmas.

The operation, which started on Saturday 2 December, saw officers - including those from the force’s Special Constabulary - working closely with partner agency staff to help make sure law-abiding people in the city could enjoy their night out safely.

Four people were arrested during the operation - for drunk and disorderly, drug offences and criminal damage.

As a result of the collaborative way of working the operation also saw 80 vehicles stopped (checking for drink/drug drivers, insurance policies and vehicle defects), 50 door staff checked, 16 positive outcomes for possession of drugs, 22 licensing checks conducted and 13 private hire vehicle checked.

Officers and partners, some who were volunteering their free time, were also on hand throughout the city to aid members of the public should they need it and speak to them about the importance of staying safe.

A Safer Streets safety bus was out in the city centre manned with officers and partners who helped a number of people throughout the evening.

People were assisted with minor injuries, were able to charge their phones, provided with water, and given drink spiking tests – to help keep them safe as they continued their night.

Inspector for Chester Local Policing Unit, James Wilson, said:

“Most people were out on Saturday night to have a good time, safely and responsibly. I hope the visibility of our officers provided reassurance that we are determined to keep them safe.

“I want to give a special mention to Security Industry Association, Cheshire West and Chester Council, Canine Inquest, Community Safety Wardens and Street Angels for their assistance on the night. It was a real show of strength and the operation would not have been so successful without their support.”

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Cabinet Member for Homes, Planning and Safer Communities, Councillor Christine Warner said:

“Cheshire West and Chester Community Safety Partnership (CSP) has granted funding for ‘Operation Performed’ from its Community Safety Fund this year to support a range of invaluable partnership activities.

“These include additional deployments of drugs dogs across the borough to detect and deter those transporting or using controlled substances, additional deployments of partnership resources to detect and deter crime and anti-social behaviour (ASB), deployment of the safe space vans funded by the PCC, additional patrolling hours and night-time security and licensing checks.

“In the lead up to the Christmas period Operation Performed will continue to offer an increased level of partnership resources and activity to safeguard our communities from harm.

Our Public Protection and Communities and Engagement services have also provided additional resources to support these activities.”

Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer said:

“I’m really pleased to see the difference that this operation has made. Seeing the police and partners working together will have given confidence to people enjoying Chester’s night life that our streets are safe.

“The safety buses that were secured through the Safer Streets Fund have made a huge difference in town and city centres across the county, providing people with a space to recharge, refresh and find refuge if needed.

“Thank you to all partners for their efforts to protect the public. I’m proud to support the Community Safety Partnership and I hope people are reassured that we are all working together to make Cheshire even safer.”