Cheshire Police has today initiated its new community policing model, through which dedicated officers will be assigned to each of the county's 122 policing areas.

Frodsham, Helsby and Kingsley & Gowy now have their own police officer and Police Community Support Officer (PCSO).

In Frodsham, PC Mike Henry and PCSO Neil Flanagan will work to build relationships within the community, aiming to resolve issues before they become serious problems.

Meanwhile, Helsby will be served by PC Aled Pugh and PCSO Lauren Davies, with PC Dan Malone and PCSO Deborah Netherton working across Kingsley & Gowy.

The area's new police officers will spend more time in their towns and villages, enabling them to deal more successfully with the concerns of local residents.

People living in Frodsham, Helsby and Kingsley & Gowy will also find it easier to contact their officers, whether through social media or in person, at police surgeries.

This new policing initiative has been championed by Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, David Keane, who wants to centre the county's policing on community services and interaction.

Noting the positive impact of providing a dedicated PCSO and police community base to each area, Cheshire Police now want to develop this hyper-local approach.

The new community policing teams will be supported by a funding package for each community, made available by the Police and Crime Commissioner from money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002.

This will consist of a £1,000 funding pot for all 122 communities, alongside an additional £10,000 for all eight policing units. Local people will be able to decide how this money is spent through bidding for the issues affecting their town.

PCC David Keane said: "My focus will always be to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour, support victims and protect vulnerable people. I believe the best way to do this is by delivering a truly local police service that is fit for the future and an integral part of our communities.

"This project is about local police working more closely than ever before with local communities, to meet local priorities.

"With the support of Cheshire residents, we have been able to increase our officer numbers, which has helped make this next stage possible.

"Delivering it has been a key budget priority for me this year and I am pleased we have been able deliver this initiative despite the challenges that Covid-19 has posed and continues to pose on our communities.

"I'm confident having dedicated officers will build on the success we've already had in providing each community with a dedicated PCSO and its own community base and will allow us to stay connected to our communities in light of new coronavirus restrictions.

"I know that we can only achieve this by investing in our communities and our workforce to ensure policing teams and local residents are given the support and tools they need to make our communities safer."