Police and Crime Update

Funding success for Safer Streets

Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer, has welcomed the news that his latest bids for a total of £1.5 million from the Government's Safer Streets Fund have been successful. When matched funding is taken into account, the real value of this extra money exceeds £2.5 million.

Safety buses, a new app, and educational programmes in every secondary school are some of the things on the cards following the latest successful bid to the Safer Streets Fund. The £1.5 million for Cheshire announced today is made up of two bids worth £750,000 each, and projects supported by this money will benefit the entire county. The funding will also support the Violence against Women and Girls agenda by expanding training and support in key areas.

The money secured by the Commissioner will support measures to protect people within the night time economy such as:

* 'Operation Street Safe' -- This will create community crime prevention groups of paid and volunteer recruits trained to spot dangerous behaviour and to intervene to keep people safe.

* New 'Safety Buses' which will provide safe spaces for those out at night in busy areas. These buses will be manned by community safety partners and volunteers, and will also have safety equipment such as defibrillators.

* Development of a safety app for Cheshire, where people will be able to see all the support services available to them. Victims of domestic abuse and sexual violence will also be able to plot their location and routes.

* An educational behaviour-change programme in high schools across the county, teaching young people how to spot harmful behaviours when out at night.

Mark Roberts, Chief Constable of Cheshire Constabulary said: "I have no doubt that all of this work will further strengthen our ability to tackle violence against women and girls." John Dwyer added: "I look forward to seeing these proposals become reality and make a real difference to people's safety and lives. Together we are making Cheshire even safer."

Substance Misuse Support Centre

A support centre for those suffering from the impact of drug and alcohol misuse has received praise from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, John Dwyer who called it "a lifeline for some of Cheshire's most vulnerable residents".

WDP has been providing services for over 30 years and now has three centres within Cheshire: Chester, Northwich and Ellesmere Port. As well as providing advice and treatment for their referrals, WDP also offer services on mental and sexual health, smoking cessation and support for young people.

During the visit, WDP introduced the Capital Card service which enables service users to build points as they attend the treatments that support their recovery, while improving their health and wellbeing. The points can then be redeemed for rewards such as college courses, cinema tickets, eating out or personal hygiene and beauty treatments.

If you live in Cheshire West and Chester and would like to talk to someone about your or someone else's drug or alcohol use, please contact WDP on 0300 303 4548 or cwac@wdp.org.uk for free and confidential support. You can also visithttps/www.wdp.org.uk/cheshire-west-and-chesterfor more information and to register for help online.

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