Macclesfield will no longer have its own dedicated police inspectors under organisational changes introduced this week.
Under previous arrangements, there were 19 Neighbourhood Policing Units across the county.
But from Monday, July 6 they have been replaced by eight Local Policing Units – Macclesfield, Chester, Ellesmere Port, Northwich, Crewe, Runcorn, Warrington and Widnes.
Macclesfield will be the central ‘hub’ for Poynton, Wilmslow, Congleton and Knutsford policing units.
The change means most officers will have briefings outside their beat area before travelling to their patches.
The new model also means a new leadership team for the Macclesfield unit has Chief Inspector Rob Dickinson in charge.
He will be supported by Inspectors Steve Griffiths and Catherine Mitchell, and Detective Inspector Gary Smith who will head up the CID units.
Senior officers have also vowed to allocate one PCSO to each electoral ward.
Chf Insp Dickinson said there were great benefits to Macclesfield and the wider area.
He said: “The reorganisation means some of the top ranks have been cut, meaning we can retain all our frontline staff.
“Everyday staff – except those in Knutsford – will come to Macclesfield for a central briefing.
“It puts detectives, officers and PCSOs in the same room for the first time, enabling consistency and the ability to share knowledge.”
The move follows a pilot scheme in Ellesmere Port where Cheshire Police claim that demand was managed more effectively and response times were reduced.
The shake-up is part of Cheshire Constabulary’s goal to save £34m over the next four years.
Cheshire’s Assistant Chief Constable Mark Roberts said financial challenges meant different choices were needed.
He said: “The units bring together staff in responding to calls, neighbourhood problem-solving, intelligence officers and investigators to start their shift together and be briefed across the teams simultaneously.
“The pilot showed major benefits as they were able to share knowledge and maximise opportunities for working across teams, better supervision and leadership and ensured the right person was sent to deal with the crime or incident at the earliest opportunity.”
