Cheshire Constabulary says claims by some Chester businesses that there has been a "significant" rise in crime and anti-social behaviour in the city centre "conflict" with the force's figures - which show a drop in the number reported.

Last week CheshireLive reported that Chester BID had sent a letter to the Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer detailing the concerns of their members, some of whom said their staff and customers felt "unsafe". The letter also referred to business owners having witnessed a host of issues including drug dealing, drug taking and begging on the city's streets.

CEO Carl Critchlow said the not-for-profit organisation had recently carried out a survey of its members - with more than 100 responding - which saw the majority claim they had been impacted by crime and anti-social behaviour over the last three months. Almost 30 per cent believed that levels had increased "significantly" in that time.

READ MORE:'We feel unsafe' - Chester city centre businesses claim crime and drug taking has soared

However, in a statement responding to the clams, Chief Inspector Mike Ankers says the findings of the survey "conflict" with the force's own performance figures, which showed that the number of reports of anti-social behaviour had fallen over the past three months.

He also went on to share data relating to some of the successful action carried out by his officers during that time, including the fact that there had been scores of alcohol seizures and numerous fines for smoking, littering and urinating in public. His team had also engaged with 138 rough sleepers and beggars.

Chief Inspector Ankers said: "Chester has been consistently rated as one of the safest cities in the UK and we are committed to doing all we can to keep it that way. As part of this commitment, we introduced a team of beat managers based in the city centre, who are all dedicated to reducing crime and anti-social behaviour in the area.

"The team work closely with residents, businesses and partner agencies, including Chester BID, to help tackle crime, ASB, homelessness and begging in the city. It’s frustrating that the results of the survey, commissioned by Chester BID, were sent to the media before giving ourselves and our partners the chance to address the concerns raised.

"Having looked at the results of the survey it is clear that they conflict with our own recent performance statistics, which shows that the number of reports of ASB in the city centre has fallen over the past three months."

He goes on to state that the force's data shows over that period the city centre team has:

  • Conducted 136 alcohol seizures
  • Issued fines to 35 people smoking on the Rows
  • Given warnings to 41 cyclists
  • Issued five fines for littering
  • Given 11 people fines for urinating in public
  • Engaged with 138 rough sleepers/beggars.

CI Ankers added: "In addition to our day-to-day work in the city centre, we have also undertaken several proactive operations in the city. These have included Operation Improvised, a drugs operation which resulted in the arrest of four people and the seizure of more than £2,500 worth of class A drugs.

"We also undertook Operation Performed, which specifically targeted ASB in the city centre. More than 50 stop searches were conducted, leading to the seizure of illegal drugs and the arrest of two people for possession with intent to supply illegal drugs.

"As part of the operation, we also worked closely with Cheshire West and Chester Council and local charities, to engage with the homeless community. As a result, 12 homeless referrals were made, and three sleeping encampments were removed from the city.

"Over the festive period we also conducted a number of nights of action targeting the night-time economy. This work included 60 door staff checks; 59 stop searches with 18 positive results; 18 checks at licensed premises; 16 dispersal notices issued and eight arrest for a range of offences.

"Nevertheless, we must not be complacent. I would like to reassure residents, businesses and visitors that we do take the concerns expressed in this survey seriously and I hope that the work highlighted above will provide them with some reassurance. However, if we really want to make our fantastic city an even safer place to live, work and visit, then we all need to work together."

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