Report praises Cheshire’s “caring police”

CHESHIRE has a “caring constabulary” that puts vulnerable people at the heart of policing.
That is the view of HM Inspector of Constabulary in a report published today
It states that the force is “good” at protecting those who are vulnerable from harm and supporting victims. It also praises frontline officers, who are often the first point of contact with those most in need, for being knowledgeable, positive and understanding.
Chief Constable Simon Byrne said: “Identifying and responding to vulnerable people is a top priority. As a force we care about the people we serve and this independent assessment reinforces that – praising the helpful attitude of officers and staff, who embody the culture of Cheshire as being a caring constabulary. Officers and staff regularly respond to, and deal with, some of the most vulnerable people in the county and often in very challenging situations.
“This is a real credit to everyone and is something that we should all feel very proud of. As a Force we have invested in training for frontline staff – from call handlers to response officers and those who provide the necessary support to victims – to ensure they can identify at an early stage those who are vulnerable in our community and then decide upon the most appropriate response to their needs.”
Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire John Dwyer said: “We are committed to protecting the most vulnerable in Cheshire and supporting victims through the criminal justice process – this was reinforced recently when the Chief Constable and I launched our victim’s strategy and Cheshire CARES.
“In Cheshire, victims have previously been supported by the charity Victim Support. Cheshire CARES, a new venture which I have funded, will provide a support service for all victims of crime and will be able to deliver a faster assessment of what an individual victim needs over the next 3 years.
This runs alongside a campaign – ‘Know and See’ – to raise awareness of the issue. It was first launched in November 2013 and aims to provide a greater understanding of CSE – and the issues surrounding it.
Mr Dwyer added: “This is a matter that I take very seriously. I don’t want Child Sexual Exploitation to become the norm in today’s society, and we all need to work together to ensure that nobody becomes a victim. That’s why I’ve provided funding to the Know and See Campaign to ensure that everyone can spot the signs.”
Chief Constable Byrne added: “In Cheshire, recorded crime is at its lowest and solved rates are improving but we cannot be complacent. As a force we strive to be the best and deliver our commitments to the public and we continue to do everything we can to ensure that the most vulnerable people in our communities receive the service they deserve.”
Full details of the inspection can be seen on the HMIC website.