Crewe citizens' assembly

Who took part?

55 people from Crewe, Nantwich and nearby areas took part. They were chosen so the group reflected a range of ages, backgrounds and views. Some with positive experiences with the police, some who don’t and people with all sorts of views. The group was chosen so it reflected the local area.

How it worked

Participants took part in three face-to-face workshops and two online sessions. During these meetings they:

• Heard information about policing and crime
• Asked questions to experts and police representatives
• Talked together about what they care about locally. This helped everyone to understand the challenges police face and to talk openly about what matters most to their communities.

What residents said was important

During the first workshop, the group agreed on a list of initial priorities, which included:

• More police presence on the streets
  People felt the police weren’t visible enough in their towns and wanted officers they could see and talk to.
• Tackle low level crime
  Issues like anti-social behaviour (ASB), theft and drug-related problems were seen as big concerns locally.
• Less bureaucracy

Residents wanted the police to have more time for frontline work – like responding quickly to calls – and less time stuck on paperwork.

• Focus on preventing crime
  People felt that stopping problems before they happen – for example by working with young people – was very important.

Learning and discussion

As the assembly learned more about crime and policing, members got a deeper understanding of how complex policing can be. Such as the need to respond to hidden crimes like domestic abuse alongside visible local issues.

Some assembly members were surprised by how common certain crimes are and how police have to balance different priorities.

Final priorities from the Assembly

After learning more and discussing together, the assembly agreed on three final priorities for their local policing area.

1. An accessible and responsive police force
   This mean the police should be easy to reach and quick to respond – not just visible, but capable of dealing with the full range of local issues effectively.
2. Invest in long-term solutions, including prevention and technology
   Assembly members felt that supporting prevention work and using new technology – not just reacting to crime – would help reduce crime in the long run.
3. A cultural shift in policing
   The police should show more empathy and understanding and communications skills, especially when engaging with the public and supporting victims.

Why this matters

The Crewe Citizens’ Assembly is part of Dan Price’s commitment to listen to residents and involve them in setting policing priorities rather than making decisions for them. The process helps ensure that policing reflects local people’s real concerns and that communities have a genuine voice in shaping how they are kept safe.