Police arrest 1,862 people in Cheshire during four-week crackdown
Dozens of officers were attacked as more than 1,800 people were arrested in Cheshire during a four-week festive crackdown. And over 200 motorists were caught behind the wheel while over the limit through either drink or drugs. Cheshire Police say a total of 1,862 people felt the weight of handcuffs between December 1 and January 1.
Meanwhile the force recorded 39 assaults on officers during December 22 and January 1 as the party season ramped up. Chiefs say the crackdown was aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour, violence against women and girls, domestic abuse along with drink and drug-driving. Figures released by the force show the highest number of arrests came in Warrington[1] where there were 387 with Chester[2] in second with 273.
READ: Why are parts of south Chester flooding 'on a regular basis'? | Localised flooding was seen again this week around Westminster Park and Lache following similar incidents in October[3] READ: Coroner calls for lessons to be learned after death by suicide of woman, 25 | Olivia Amy Russell had restarted medication for anxiety in August 2021 before going on to take her own life on September 19, 2021[4] Across all local policing units there were 237 arrests for drink or drug driving offences.
The crackdown saw an increase in patrols with hotspot areas being identified. Chief Constable Mark Roberts, said: "The festive period is always a busy one for policing but in Cheshire we have been on the front foot, chasing down criminals and being visible in public spaces so that people could enjoy themselves in a safe environment. Again we have targeted irresponsible people who drove drunk or impaired on drugs - with 237 people starting the new year looking forward to prosecution and a ban.
"Despite a high volume of calls we got to most emergencies in eight minutes against a 15 minute target which makes a big difference when people need us. "Our approach is always to be proactive and make Cheshire a hostile place for criminals, even on Christmas Day. I called into Northwich[5] to wish staff Happy Christmas but most of them were out putting a drug dealers door in which was typical of the relentless approach I want, whilst in Warrington on New Year's Eve officers were intervening at the first hint of trouble to stop it escalating."
The top cop has branded the assaults on officers as 'utterly unacceptable.' He added: "The majority of the public in Cheshire are really supportive of us which we appreciate, but we still had 39 assaults on officers which is utterly unacceptable and we will always prosecute such individuals to the full extent of the law."
There were a total of 1,730 arrests recorded by local policing unit area.
The force say the other arrests will relate to arrests by road policing officers outside of drink and drug-drive offences.
Arrests by area
- Warrington - 387
- Chester - 273
- Crewe - 229
- Macclesfield - 179
- Congleton - 142
- Ellesmere Port - 137
- Runcorn - 137
- Widnes - 126
- Northwich - 120
NEWSLETTER: Sign up for CheshireLive email direct to your inbox here[6]
References
- ^ Warrington (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Chester (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Why are parts of south Chester flooding 'on a regular basis'? | Localised flooding was seen again this week around Westminster Park and Lache following similar incidents in October (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Coroner calls for lessons to be learned after death by suicide of woman, 25 | Olivia Amy Russell had restarted medication for anxiety in August 2021 before going on to take her own life on September 19, 2021 (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Northwich (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Sign up for CheshireLive email direct to your inbox here (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)