Time running out for residents’ feedback on police budget

A survey asking for Cheshire residents’ views on community safety and how much police funding should come from local tax closes next week.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer must set the police budget in the next few weeks and has been out across the county holding pop-up roadshows, asking residents about their views.

Residents are also encouraged to complete the survey online by midday on Tuesday 23 January at:

www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/policebudget202425

Last year, residents in Cheshire supported a small rise in the police precept (the part of Council Tax that pays for policing). This enabled Cheshire Police to maintain and improve performance in 2023 in key areas such as:

• 999 calls answered 2 seconds faster and 101 calls answered 58 seconds faster.

• Emergencies attended 34 seconds faster and non-emergencies attended 8 minutes 56 seconds faster.

• Highest number of officers ever, with more officers on the beat as part of the community policing model.

• Over 2,000 more arrests, with more offenders charged and ‘action taken’.

Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer said:

“I’m grateful to everyone who has had their say on community safety and the police budget so far. The more people who feed back to me on issues in their community and their views on the police precept, the better picture I have ahead of setting the budget.

“I don’t want anyone to be in any doubt about the difference that having your say makes. It’s through the backing of the public that the police have been able to improve in key areas over the last year.”

Answers to frequently asked questions about the police budget and survey are available at: 

www.cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/what-the-commissioner-does/setting-the-police-budget/budget-2024-25