The following priorities have been set by Sergeant Steve Sheppard having considered the information held on police systems and the results of various public engagements in the Wilmslow North area.
• In response to concerns from local residents we are actively looking at ways to target people involved in the sale and use of illegal drugs in and around the Wilmslow North area.
• To increase public reassurance through visible patrols in the areas of the MUGA (multi use gaming area) on the Colshaw Estate. This has been requested during the late afternoons and early evenings daily. The focus of these patrols is to reduce antisocial behaviour and criminal damage occurring in this area and to engage with the youths using these facilities.
• To work in partnership with Cheshire East and Crimestoppers to pro-actively encourage the use of the Crimestoppers service to pass information on criminals acting in the Colshaw and Handforth areas to the police.
Sergeant Steve Sheppard said "Police have listened to concerns that drug dealers are using the area and whilst it is obviously not appropriate to go into detail on this website a number of warrants have been executed at addresses in this area and drugs have been recovered.
"A number of key individuals have been stopped and searched following intelligence that they are involved in the illegal supply of drugs. Intelligence continues to be developed with a view to police officers and partner agencies working together to tackle any persons possessing or dealing in illegal substances."
Wilmslow officers have been patrolling Handforth and engaging with the youths following complaints that they are a nuisance in the area. Cheshire East Council have also been looking at ways to engage with the youths and use the facilities now available at the multi-use games area site. There have been very few reported incidents of anti-social behaviour in this area which allows the police to focus their priorities elsewhere.
Wilmslow officers have also been patrolling the Colshaw estate and engaging with the youths following concerns that they are a nuisance and there is a lot of criminal damage. There has been a marked reduction in the amount of criminal damage reported in the Wilmslow North area and very little reported anti-social behaviour. There is still some concerns about youths gathering on a Thursday evening so the police will be continuing to look at ways of addressing this.
Tesco and Wilmslow officers have joined forces to address the issue of petrol theft from the store at Handforth Dean. Staff have been retrained, processes have been reviewed and new technology is being explored to assist in the fight against this crime. The results have been instant and effective with a reduction of 80 per cent in the month of August.
Sergeant Steve Sheppard said "Travelling criminals are not welcome in Wilmslow and Tesco are doing their bit to help us keep them out. Although we will continue to work with Tesco and other major employers this success has allowed us to focus our resources elsewhere."
Local residents can let the police know what matters to them by reporting crimes and anti-social behaviour, emailing their views, going along to the next pledge meeting or volunteering to become a Special Constable or Police Support Volunteer.
