Runcorn citizens' assembly

Who took part?

33 people from Runcorn 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, where they:

• Learned about how local policing works
• Heard facts and information about crime and police decisions
• Asked questions and shared their views openly
• Discussed what’s important for policing in Runcorn

What residents said was important

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

• More visible policing
  People felt the police weren’t visible or easy to talk to on the streets.
• Tackle low level crime
  Issues like anti-social behaviour (ASB), theft, drug dealing and ebike theft were seen as big concerns locally.
• Consequences for young people

Residents thought young people should face stronger deterrents to stop offending.

• Better feedback from police
  People wanted more updates on what police are doing locally to build confidence.

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 the issues in depth, the assembly agreed on three final priorities for their local policing area.

1. Prevention and education
   Focus on long-term solutions by educating the community, especially young people, so crime is prevented before it happens.
2. Tackling domestic abuse
   Residents highlighted the need to focus on reducing domestic abuse, which was a significant concern in the local area.
3. Police visibility
   People want officers to be seen on the streets, to build trust, improve safety and strengthen relationships with the community.

Why this matters

The Runcorn 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.