MAJOR changes in the Cheshire Police service in what has been termed as a 'Root and Branch' reform was introduced on July 6.

The reorganisation is being introduced to save £34 million over four years. It will see officers briefed outside their areas and the number of policing units halved.

There are 19 Neighbourhood Policing Units across the county. They will be replaced by just eight Local Policing Units.

Police Officers and PCSOs will have to travel to their patches following daily briefings at a central deployment base in one of the eight locations.

Police officers will be spending far too much time travelling between stations instead of catching criminals and stopping speeding motorists in residential areas.

Cheshire Police should come into the 21st century and do briefing via the internet, which would mean officers would not have to make long trips before they started their duties and at the end of their shift.

There are only two policing units in Cheshire East to cover 370,000 residents and 450 square miles.

Under the current arrangement, there are 19 Neighbourhood Policing Units across the county.The number of Policing Units is being cut by a massive 58 per cent.

Nineteen neighbourhood units are being reduced to just eight local policing units which means that there is going to be less of a focus on the already under-policed smaller communities.

I am amazed that local communities, have not been consulted about what is a cost-cutting exercise which could have a very detrimental impact on the policing in Cheshire.

I am surprised Cheshire East Council have not raised any concerns about this reduction.

Cllr Brian Silvester UKIP Councillor