Macclesfield residents help shape future of local policing

More than 30 residents representing the communities of Macclesfield have come together to help shape local policing in the latest citizens’ assembly, run by Dan Price, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner.

Participants are taking part in three four-hour face-to-face workshops over four weeks. The workshops give the PCC a better understanding of local community policing needs and enable the participants to learn more about the Police and Crime Commissioner and Cheshire Constabulary.

Police and Crime Commissioner, Dan Price said:

“This is the fourth citizens’ assembly we’ve held and it’s great to see local people so committed to helping Macclesfield thrive. These assemblies really matter because they give everyone a voice.

“Even though our communities across the county can feel quite different, some issues like wanting to see more police around, keep coming up no matter where you live. It’s clear that people care about the same core things.

“I’m interested to see what comes out of this assembly and how it stacks up against what we’ve learned in other areas. Local people’s input is what makes these gatherings invaluable, and I’m excited to see the results.”

Dan Price is the first PCC in the country to hold citizens’ assemblies to form local policing priorities. They’re powerful spaces where an accurate representation of the community comes together - young and old, all backgrounds, with different views and different levels of trust in the police.

Some people have had direct experiences with the police; others have witnessed crime or simply care about their community. Most importantly everyone has a voice.

The first ones were held in Crewe and Nantwich at the end of 2024 and Runcorn and Widnes ones ran throughout June and into the beginning of July.

Cheshire citizens’ assemblies

The citizens’ assemblies involve members from the local community to shape and fulfil Dan’s policing priorities. Ensuring each area’s policing teams know what matters to their residents the most.

Over his term of office, he will run nine citizens’ assemblies which reflects the current neighbourhood policing model of Cheshire Constabulary. 

More information can be found here: 

https://www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/what-the-commissioner-does/police-and-crime-plan/listen-to-the-public/citizens-assembly/

More information about the PCC:

Public accountability for the delivery and performance of the police service is placed into the hands of the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) on behalf of the electorate.

The Commissioner has wider responsibilities than those relating solely to the police force, including:

• The ability to provide or commission services intended to help victims and witnesses of crime and anti-social behaviour.
• The ability to provide or commission services that will secure, or contribute to securing, crime and disorder reduction.
• The ability to bring together Community Safety Partnerships at the force level.
• A duty to ensure that all collaboration agreements with other Commissioners and forces deliver value for money or enhance the effectiveness of policing capabilities and resilience.
• A wider responsibility for the enhancement of the delivery of criminal justice in their area.
• Responsibility for the police estate

Pictured - Police and Crime Commissioner Dan Price.