MP joins police on patrol
EAST Runcorn MP Mike Amesbury spent the day on patrol with police to see first-hand some of the challenges they face.
The Weaver Vale MP joined officers on the move around Moore, Daresbury, Sandymoor parts of the New Town.
Incidents tackled ranged from domestic violence and drugs to rural crimes such as chicken rustling.
The MP accused the Government of hampering police, council and mental health services with funding cuts, with police now picking up a large workload connected to mental health.
During his patrol he also heard that body cams are being rolled out across the patch and was updated about the force’s neighbourhood policing strategy.
Mr Amesbury said: “Crime has been a concern of many of my constituents and I wanted to see the situation on the ground.”
He added: “Hopefully the body cams will help with community reassurance, gathering evidence and officer safety.
“Community policing is also being emphasised in every ward with a dedicated PCSO (police community support officer) throughout the patch, a welcome pledge delivered by the Police And Crime Commissioner David Keane.”
He added: “They’re also carrying out their work in the face of unprecedented Government funding cuts, which has seen Cheshire police suffer £60m in cuts since 2010 – a fall in spending of 37%.
“The force is also faced with another £13m of cuts over the next three years.” ●