More than 180 people arrested in first weekend of Cheshire Police's Christmas crackdown

Cheshire police is issuing a clear warning to anyone thinking of committing crime or causing harm across the county this Christmas - officers will take action. 

Cheshire Police will not stand for anyone intent on committing crime or causing harm this Christmas

The warning comes as the Constabulary launches a month-long operation which will see officers targeting perpetrators of anti-social behaviour, violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and drink and drug driving – particularly focussing on night-time economy hot spot areas with high impact policing activity.

Police will also be educating the public on the consequences of their actions with a high visibility campaign.

The campaign will show the public a possible two options on how they can spend their Christmas – either having a good time celebrating with family and friends, or a lonely one locked up and spent with officers – leaving them with the choice on how they are going to spend theirs.

The takeaway message - if you choose to commit crime or cause harm in Cheshire then you will be made to face the consequences of your actions.

The campaign will be visible across the county with enhanced activity in hot spot night-time economy areas – and the important messages flooding the streets of Warrington and Chester in particular.

Head of local policing for Cheshire Constabulary, Chief Superintendent Peter Crowcroft, said: “We want people to have a great Christmas with friends and family, but we absolutely will not stand for anyone intent on causing harm in our communities and ruining it for everyone else – and having too much alcohol is not an excuse for unacceptable behaviour.”

“We want people to see our campaign and make the right choice. If you behave safely and responsibly you can have a great Christmas. However, if you choose to commit crime - even after we have warned you on the consequences of doing so - then you will have no-one to blame but yourself.

“It is not ok for good people to suffer at the hands of criminals - especially at Christmas - and there is no place in Cheshire for people to commit crime and cause harm.”

There will be extra measures put in place across Cheshire to help keep people safe.

High visibility operations will take place throughout December in targeted areas across the county with local officers doing all they can to ensure communities are free from criminal activity.

There will also be specially trained officers deployed to identify and tackle predatory behaviours such as harassment, loitering without reason and stalking behaviour.

Partnership safety buses will be stationed across the county to provide valuable support to those who feel vulnerable or need assistance.

With support from specialist units within the Constabulary, officers will also be working hard to locate outstanding offenders and capture individuals wanted on recall to prison, ‘fail to appear’ warrants and any outstanding offences – making sure they are made to face the consequences of their actions.

Chief Superintendent Crowcroft, added: “I want to reassure people that we remain resolute in our pursuit of those who believe they are above the law and will make sure they are held accountable for the crimes they have committed, and the harm they have caused.

“Our streets are safe, our roads are safe, our night-time economy is safe – until someone makes it not safe. This is not something we are going to accept in Cheshire, and we will do all we can to prevent and disrupt crime occurring in the county.”

Chief Constable, Mark Roberts commented, “Cheshire is not the place to carry out criminal behaviour, we won’t stand for it, and we do our utmost to arrest and prosecute those intent on creating misery and upset for others, especially at Christmas.  We have officers out and about across the festive period, and many more supporting behind the scenes to ensure that the good people of Cheshire can have an enjoyable and safe time celebrating.  We also have many officers working in our custody suites so, to those that are intent on committing crime, we very much look forward to welcoming you into our cells this Christmas.”

John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner said: “The messaging behind this Christmas campaign is so important and the Constabulary's stance is very clear: if you choose to commit crime or harm in Cheshire then you will be made to face the consequences of your actions, which is a stance I firmly share.

“I hope everyone in Cheshire has a happy and safe Christmas and those looking for a fresh start can turn over a new leaf in 2023.”

Arrest figures for first weekend:

The first weekend of this operation has seen 182 people arrested across the county for a number of offences including, assault, drunk and disorderly in a public space, drink driving, stalking, and domestic abuse.