2025 Wrapped

This year was never about standing still — it was about action. We’ve piloted modern technology, faced emerging challenges and focused relentlessly on delivering results. This is only the beginning — there’s much more to come.

Part of my role as Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), which many people may not be aware of, is commissioning victim support services across Cheshire. Services such as RASASC, Remedi and Cheshire CARES provide crucial help to those affected by all types of crime. This year alone, these services have supported more than 16,500 people.

Community investment has also been a major focus. 122 projects across Cheshire have benefitted from over £400,000 in funding, making this the largest community fund ever delivered by a Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner. Funded using money seized from criminal activity, this investment is being redirected into positive projects that strengthen communities and prevent crime.

Listening to the public is central to my Police and Crime Plan. That’s why I became the first Police and Crime Commissioner in the country to introduce citizens’ assemblies. These bring together people from all walks of life — including victims, survivors, ex-offenders and those with different views on policing — to help shape the future of policing locally. Assemblies have already taken place in Crewe and Nantwich, Runcorn and Widnes, and more recently in Macclesfield, with the next scheduled for Congleton in the new year. Hearing directly from residents ensures decisions are grounded in lived experience and local needs.

Reducing crime is another key pillar in my Police and Crime Plan. That’s why I’ve launched targeted initiatives such as Fresh Start, supporting ex-offenders into long-term employment to break the cycle of reoffending, and a domestic abuse pilot in Halton, an area facing particularly high demand. I’ve also committed up to £150,000 to back Esther Ghey’s phone-free education campaign, supporting schools across Cheshire to create safer, healthier learning environments for young people. This investment reflects a clear ambition: to make Cheshire the first county in the UK to achieve 100% phone-free adoption across all high schools.

Rural crime has also demanded urgent attention. With thefts at an all-time high in rural communities, I brought together MPs, the NFU, the National Rural Crime Unit and local farmers to highlight the impact of serious organised crime. This work has supported changes to the Equipment Theft (Prevention) Act 2023, which came into play this autumn.

Modernisation remains at the heart of my Police and Crime Plan. I secured £300,000 from the Science and Technology in Policing (STAR) Fund to develop an AI tool designed to detect early signs of stalking behaviour — helping prevent harm before it escalates. We also saw the opening of a new police station in Wilmslow, the first in the UK to achieve Passivhaus accreditation, using 90% less energy and ensuring resources can be redirected where they’re needed most.

A lot has been achieved over the last 12 months — and there’s still much more to do. I remain committed to driving positive change, strengthening communities and being your voice in policing. Here’s to building safer, thriving communities together in 2026.

If you’d like to get in touch, please email pcc@cheshire-pcc.gov.uk (opens email application).