CHESHIRE’S police and crime commissioner will be in Widnes to ask residents if they would like to see an increased police presence in the area.

This is part of a consultation where David Keane is asking taxpayers if they support an increase to the policing precept in council tax payments by an average of £2 per month to help Cheshire Police reinvest in neighbourhood policing and tackle serious and complex crime.

In December, the government announced that Cheshire Constabulary would receive funding to cover unavoidable pressures on policing but it assumes that Cheshire taxpayers will fund almost two thirds of this.

Residents and businesses across Cheshire are being asked to complete a survey to give their views on 2019/20’s precept ahead of the commissioner setting the constabulary’s budget in February.

The commissioner will at Morrisons on Green Oaks Way between 11am-2pm on Wednesday, January 23 encouraging people to fill in the survey and talking to them directly about their priorities for police funding.

Alternatively, you can also give your views by completing a survey on the Cheshire PCC website.

The consultation closes at midnight on Sunday, January 27.