Community meeting hears about Commissioner’s plans for Sandbach
Community funding, police officer numbers and speeding were just a few of the topics discussed at the event organised by the Sandbach Co-op Member Pioneer
By Deborah Bowyer
Posted: Wednesday, 19th October 2022 6:00 pm
Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer joined residents at Sandbach Rugby Club to discuss local issues and progress on the Police and Crime Plan during his time in office so far.
Community funding, police officer numbers and speeding were just a few of the hot topics discussed at the meeting organised by Sandbach Co-op Member Pioneer Arnie Laing.
Residents were able to quiz the Commissioner, as well as Chief Inspector Duncan Gouck and Sergeant Craig Hodson from Congleton Local Policing Unit, on the issues that matter to them.
The Commissioner was able to reassure residents that the Constabulary is still on track to have the highest number of officers since the 1970s in the near future, and that nearly £9 million in extra funding has been secured for projects to make streets safer and introduce live video streaming technology to the call centre.
"I'm currently refreshing my Police and Crime Plan and in the updated document I'll be letting residents know about progress so far. We're on target to recruit our highest ever number of officers, the 101 non-emergency service is improving, and my office is bringing in significant extra funding to protect the people of Cheshire."
At the meeting, Mr Dwyer answered questions about speeding on Middlewich Road and traffic congestion at Sandbach High School and Sixth Form College.
He said: "For all nine local policing units, I have provided them with at least a set of what the police call the Golden River,
"It gives proper data to the police. That's one step we're doing. I'm developing this network of average speed cameras for parish councils in particular.
"Not all roads are suitable for this but we know that average speed cameras do actually change behaviour.
"People want those fixed cameras, a yellow box and people know where they are, they slow down and speed up again.
"Average speed cameras cover a greater distance and we know it changes behaviour.
"So, we're going to be starting to install those early next year as part of my programme to address the speeding issue across the county."
At the meeting the Commissioner also spoke about his Community Action Fund, which is open until the end of November.
£100,000 is available for local groups to apply for, with grants of up to £5,000 being considered for projects to prevent and tackle crime.
The Sandbach Community Meetings have been running since May 2022, with guest speakers being invited to speak to residents on areas of interest to the community.
The meetings have been arranged by Co-op Member Pioneer Arnie Laing, who is aiming to help build links between local residents and organisations.
Arnie said: "John Dwyer gave a good insight into his role as the elected Police & Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, backed up by an excellent handout explaining topics including response times, safeguarding, crime and incident figures, investment in technology plus the Cheshire Constabulary performance comparison with 42 other forces.
"It was also great to hear about the GoodSAM technology that the Constabulary now has in their control room, allowing the public to share live video footage. The more people who know about this the better and I hope the news will be spread far and wide.
"The audience particularly responded to Mr Dwyer's open, friendly, and candid approach in the questions and answers section which makes him an ideal guest speaker for any organisation or group in Cheshire."
To find out more about the Commissioner's Community Action Fund, visit: www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/what-the-commissioner-does/community-funding/community-action-fund/
Co-op Membership helps support Co-op's national charity partners and Local Community Fund causes. See www.coop.co.uk/membership
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