The Best Guide for the Neston Area

Thanks Sgt.Greenhalgh for the update,however,would we have less burglaries if police were actually seen on our streets?

I cannot remember seeing a policeman or even a PCSO on patrol for a very long time so I ask you what do the 10 or so bobbies in Neston/Willaston actually do?

About a year ago I saw a police car driving around so I stopped it and asked what it was doing? The answer was "we are on beat patrol" which is a far cry from the days of PC Bob Campion who regularly cycled by and stopped for a chat and it was surprising how much knowledge he gained about local crime.

Visible policing in Neston/Willaston is now non existent which in my opinion means that crime may increase over the festive season so we must all be most vigilant.

I don't mean to sound facetious Dennis but I think the Police are pretty visible in Neston compared to other places I have lived.

Policing has changed and is much more intelligence led, it has to be given the cuts in numbers on the forces due to budgetary pressures. The days of bobbies strolling the beat continually are largely a thing of the past.

I think, given the constraints, that the Neston area feels a pretty safe place to live although I wish the Police Forces would stop manipulating statistics where crime somehow becomes unrecorded (National issue to be fair).

The PCSOs have fairly regular drop in sessions in a number of places (Sainsbury's, the Teapot in the Methodist Church, Net's and Willaston Memorial Hall). These are fairly well publicised on here and on neston.org. Having said that I am not sure when the next ones are, probably the New Year. Maybe if one of the team reads this, they can update us.

Surely, police intelligence comes from the public as per PC Bob Campion's methods by being amongst us but I agree that the PCSO sessions are the next best thing.

Without the support and information from the public,very little crime can be solved provided,ofcourse,that such information is actually recorded and acted upon and I have no complaints about Cheshire Constabulary there.

I think Dennis does have a point, when the police report crime statistics and tell us that crime rates are falling it doesn't make me feel any safer (especially when it seems the figures are massaged anyway) but seeing a police officer walking the streets does, I wonder how many more officers you could have by doing away with crime statistics and using the money elsewhere and when it comes to local crime i.e. burglaries etc. which can have a devastating effect on the victim a good local bobby with knowledge of the area would be a huge asset to the force. How many times do we hear of just one offender being locked up and crime rates in that area tumbling.

I asked what the 10 or so bobbies actually do so I am disappointed Sgt.Greenhalgh has not told us as I am sure we would like to know now that many of the duties that they used to perform are now done by the council or PCSOs.

I agree with Cllr. Andy that to see police on the beat is comforting even on bikes but it seems that the last time the bikes were used was when the chiel constable visited us which was to his credit.

Dennis, I have to say I am disappointed with your unsupportive comments. The reality of current policing is a long way off the past and we have to move forward. My team and others are on patrol a lot of their time, so it surprises me you have not seen them! Indeed PCSO Conway is often on a pedal bike!! And PCSO Tudor on foot patrol! Not quite sure where you get the 10 bobbies in Neston figure from Dennis?? Your 'Opinion' around visible policing and crime going up is thankfully just that. Having police on every street corner has not happened for a long time. We are intelligence led, together with targeting our limited resources to best effect. Something we have done very well in Neston over the last year. But we know we cannot please everyone.
CO Jones has a better grasp of today's reality. Although I would say the I have never known or seen crime figures to be manipulated locally. A recent comment by Tom Winsor, who is not a great supporter of the police, has led to the police recording crimes from the initial information and beforehand evidential investigation. Recording of crime as it is reported to ensure complete integrity is now the norm.

Andy, crime stats and budgets for more police is down to the Government. Whilst MP's award themselves considerable pay rises and expenses, they continue to cut police budgets. Whilst we have our local known persons, we also have cross border criminals. So yes local knowledge is important and we have a good deal of this, but we cannot solely rely on local intelligence.

To follow up more of Dennis's comments, the police officers and PCSOs who work in and around the Neston areas do a great deal of prevention, community events, drug warrants, reassurance and dealing with offenders. Why should the police be responsible for everything? Does it not make more sense having the right organisation deal with certain issues or people in the community from the outset? Times have changed as has society. The bikes have been used numerous times since the chiefs ride, so perhaps Dennis blinked as PCSO Conway whizzed past!!

Whilst I always welcome comments on articles or questions, I would ask that unfounded and none factual comments are not added because this simply does not help. I will always be honest and up front. Having the public on board is important to me and my team. We strive to achieve the very best we can and have had considerable impact over the last year.

Thanks for the response Sgt DG and the measured comprehensive feedback. I feel safe in Neston as do my family because of the hard work you folk put in.

My dig about the crime stats was just an observation of nationally reported stories.

Have a restful Christmas