CHESHIRE Police have taken a step to having a named officer in each community, with the force set to rollout community bases across each policing area.

The constabulary is broken up into six local policing units and smaller local policing teams, with each team to be allocated a venue where PCSOs can base themselves on a day-to-day basis.

The ‘book-on’ bases include village halls and community centres, and are part of Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane’s Police and Crime Plan. The scheme would not cost Cheshire Police anything in terms of rent.

Listed at the Joint Management Board meeting from April 10, the agenda read: “The rationale for the decision was that the decision supports the priorities of the Police & Crime Plan 2016-21 for Cheshire to have a police service better connected to its communities and one which is fit for the future.

“The recommendations approved are intended to enhance and improve the quality of service the public receive from PCSOs around visibility, engagement and problem solving.”

The Knutsford and Wilmslow local policing teams are split into electoral wards.

The Prestbury and Alderley Edge team will be based at Festival Hall in Alderley Edge, with High Legh and Mobberley working out of High Legh Village Hall.

Knutsford, Wilmslow and Wilmslow East officers will continue to be based at their respective police stations, with Handforth seeing representation at the youth centre and Holmes Chapel at the parish council offices.

Wilmslow Dean Row and Lacey Green moves to Dean Row Centre, and Wilmslow West and Chorley to Chorley Village Hall.

David Keane, police and crime commissioner for Cheshire, said: “Every Cheshire community will soon have its own police base, providing an accessible contact point for local residents to meet with their local PCSO.

“PCSOs are an important part of local policing teams across Cheshire. They are the ‘eyes and ears’ of local communities, gathering intelligence to deal with complex police issues, whilst providing support to vulnerable residents, and focusing on making our roads safer.

“These bases will provide the facilities for PCSOs to spend more time in the heart of the community they serve, increasing interaction with local residents and allowing them to have more visibility in our communities. Under the previous model, some PCSOs were travelling miles each day to the community they were based in, wasting valuable time.

“When I was elected I promised the residents of Cheshire ‘more feet on the beat’. Providing every community in Cheshire with their own named, recognisable community officer is helping us achieve this vision.”