CHESHIRE’S new Police and Crime Commissioner has vowed to get more officers on the streets.

David Keane, who began his new role on May 12, spent his first days in office on a whirlwind tour of frontline policing.

Mr Keane met officers and police staff and will soon be embarking on a ‘listening’ tour of the county where he will be listening to the views of the Cheshire public.

He said: “I’m determined to get out and about to listen to the views of the public, community leaders, businesses and so on, building on the pledges that I made during the election to build neighbourhood policing, get more police officers on our streets, and to improve community engagement.

“I will be announcing in the next couple of weeks a series of ‘listening’ events over the summer and autumn, to help shape my Police and Crime Plan.”

Mr Keane is a law graduate and has served as a local councillor for 17 years, with five years’ experience at cabinet level on Warrington Borough Council. He will keep his seat as a councillor.

As part of his new role, Mr Keane spent time in the force’s control centre, listening in to 101 and 999 calls.

He then went on foot patrol with the Chief Inspector in Tarporley, which is covered by the Northwich Local Policing Unit.

“It’s about understanding the complexity of modern policing,” said Mr Keane.

“Spending part of my morning listening to calls from people in distress, I’d like to recognise the call takers who do a wonderful job providing reassurance to victims in very challenging circumstances.

“I was amazed by the complexity of issues the call handlers had to deal with, and the split second decisions they were making.

“Likewise, when I accompanied the response team in Northwich I was impressed with how well trained officers dealt with very challenging calls, and the professionalism that they showed.

“At the same time, much of policing is about being visible and approachable, so walking the beat with the local Chief Inspector was very useful as building proper neighbourhood policing is one of my pledges.”