Cheshire Police have vigorously defended an accusation by a Sandbach councillor that there has been an erosion of community policing in Elworth and the wider Sandbach area".

Councillor Nicola Cook, who represents Elworth on Cheshire East Council, said recently: "Over the last 18 months there has been a complete erosion of community policing in Elworth and the wider Sandbach area.

Cllr Cook alleges there has been en erosion of policing in recent times. (Photo: Nub News)

"Up until 2024, there were three PCSOs and three Police Officers for Sandbach, Wheelock, Brereton, and Elworth. Over the last 12 months, two PCSOs have left and have not been replaced.

"I was given an assurance that they would be replaced by police officers. This has not happened. This has had a significant impact on Elworth.

"Many residents are rightly concerned about speeding cars, inconsiderate parking and anti-social behaviour. PCSOs have had a real focus on these areas, and the loss of two PCSOs means that this work is not taking place in Elworth.

"It has been confirmed that we may loose our last remaining PCSO from Sandbach with no guarantee that we will get a police officer instead."

She added: "I am also very concerned about the stress this is causing on the police officers covering Sandbach. In Elworth, we have had four different community police officers in two years.

"This does not enable these hard working officers to get to know their community. I speak regularly to community police officers, and it would also appear that they frequently have to go on the 999 response teams when they are short staffed.

Cllr Nicola Cook. (Photo: Cheshire East Council)

"It took me eight weeks to meet the new Elworth police officer, as they kept cancelling the meeting because they had to help with the response team. They left this role after only a few months.

"It is my view that community policing in Elworth is under significant stress,and I am very concerned about the impact this will have on residents."

Cllr Cooks comments came as the county's police and crime panel, which scrutinises the work of the police commissioner's office, called an extraordinary meeting last Friday (9 January).

An extraordinary meeting of Cheshire's police and crime panel took place last Friday at Crewe Municipal Buildings to discuss a possible reduction in PCSOs) (Image: Ryan Parker).

Cheshire Police have defended any suggestion community policing in Elworth and the wider area has been eroded.

Superintendent Andrew Blizard, Eastern area Commander said: "The internal consultation in relation to the Police Community Support Officers remains ongoing and therefore it is inappropriate for me to comment further at this time.

"However, I would like to reassure residents that Cheshire Constabulary currently has the highest number of officers ever and the force was recently rated as one of the best police forces in the UK following a recent inspection by His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS).

"Over recent years, crime levels have fallen consistently across the county and our conviction rates are continuing to increase.

 "With regards to Elworth specifically, the number of incidents in the area equate to just 0.32% of all incidents in Cheshire.

"Of the incidents reported in Elworth, the majority were domestic incidents (17.4 per cent) and Concern for Safety (12.9 per cent), with ASB accounting for just 2.9 per cent of incidents. 

"The area is policed by two dedicated beat managers, PC Adam Archer and PC Matthew Steele, who are supported by local PCSOs, along with other officers from Congleton Local Policing Unit and all the other specialist units from across the force."

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