Police roadshow sparks conversations about consent across Cheshire

Over four days in August, Cheshire Constabulary took to town centres across the county to start important conversations about consent - as part of the ‘Consent. It starts with a conversation’ campaign.

The interactive roadshow visited Warrington Town Centre, Chester City Centre, Sandbach Town Centre, Crewe Retail Park, and Northwich Barons Quay between Thursday 7 – Tuesday 12 August.

The specially branded ‘consent van’ acted as a mobile discussion space, inviting members of the public to step inside and take part in filmed activities.

These included leaving messages to their younger selves, discussing scenarios about consent, and exploring how different generations view the subject.

Outside the van, a team of officers and staff - including support from two specialist support services, MyCWA and Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre - engaged passers-by with information, free educational resources, and interactive activities designed to break down barriers and make the topic approachable – with members of the public able to take away a pack of prompt cards to carry on the conversations at home with their family members.

Youth Engagement Officer, PC Sarah Bailiff, said:

“Consent is about respect, communication, and understanding boundaries – but it’s not something we can just talk about once and forget. It’s a conversation we should be having at home, with friends, and in our communities.

“By taking our campaign directly to town centres, we’ve been able to speak to people of all ages, hear their thoughts, and encourage them to keep these discussions going long after they left us.

“The roadshow highlighted that consent is an ongoing conversation, not a one-off lesson, and that understanding consent is key to fostering respectful relationships.”

To view content from the roadshow, follow Cheshire Constabulary across all social media platforms and search:

#ConsentStartsWithAConversation

For more information about the Constabulary’s consent campaign and support on having consent conversations visit:

https://www.cheshire.police.uk/police-forces/cheshire-constabulary/areas/cheshire/campaigns/consent/consent--support-for-parents/