Officers out in Chester keeping people safe over the festive period

Officers from Cheshire Constabulary, supported by partner agencies, carried out high-visibility patrols in Chester City Centre to help keep people safe as they enjoyed their nights out.

The operation on Saturday 6th December focused on ensuring the city remained a safe place for residents and visitors during the busy festive period.  

Throughout the evening, police officers and members of the Special Constabulary conducted roadside breath and drug testing to identify drink and drug drivers.  

Passive drugs dogs were also deployed to detect the presence of drugs, alongside proactive patrols across licensed premises and key locations in the city centre. 

Taxi licensing checks were carried out as part of the operation, resulting in one taxi being suspended for non-compliance.  

Officers worked closely with local authority licensing teams to check venues and door staff, including making sure they were Security Industry Authority compliant alongside following wider licensing requirements. 

The operation was overwhelmingly positive, with the vast majority of people behaving responsibly and enjoying their night safely. 

The evening also saw 55 volunteer police officers support the operation, dedicating 553 hours across Chester and the surrounding areas to help keep people safe.  

Cheshire Constabulary will continue to carry out high-visibility patrols and targeted enforcement across the county’s night-time economy to reduce violence, prevent serious incidents and support the local economy. 

Members of the public are encouraged to plan ahead, look out for friends, and always choose a safe way home after a night out.