There was more arrests in Cheshire over the recent festive period, than the preceding Christmas.

Cheshire Police confirmed this morning that 1862 people were arrested in the county from the start of December to New Years.

This figure is up by 65 from the Christmas before. As this time last year, it was revealed that 1797 people were arrested across Cheshire during the festive period 2022-2023.

The recent operation, saw officers targeting perpetrators of anti-social behaviour, violence against women and girls, domestic abuse and drink and drug driving – with a particular focus on night-time economy hot spot areas.

High visibility patrols were carried out across the county with officers working closely with partner agency staff to make sure law-abiding people could enjoy their Christmas safely.

Officers were also out stopping drivers as part of a crackdown on drink and drug driving, and as a result 237 people were arrested for drink or drug driving offences across the county.

Despite the increase in arrests across Cheshire, the number of arrests in the Macclesfield Policing Unit during the Christmas period actually fell.

The most recent festive period saw 179 arrests in the Macclesfield LPU, which includes Macc, Bollington and nearby towns like Knutsford and Wilmslow.

Over Christmas 2022-23, 191 arrests occurred in the Macclesfield Local Policing Unit.

This is a year-on-year fall of 12 arrests.

The Special Constabulary was hugely valuable throughout the Christmas period, supporting frontline neighbourhood policing and carrying out targeted operations to help keep their communities safe.

'Safe space' safety buses were also stationed across the county providing valuable support to those who felt vulnerable or needed assistance - as part of the Constabulary's determination to make Cheshire's streets even safer.

Cheshire Police Chief Constable Mark Roberts, said: "The festive period is always a busy one for policing but in Cheshire we have been on the front foot, chasing down criminals and being visible in public spaces so that people could enjoy themselves in a safe environment. Again we have targeted irresponsible people who drove drunk or impaired on drugs - with 237 people starting the new year looking forward to prosecution and a ban.

"Despite a high volume of calls we got to most emergencies in eight minutes against a 15 minute target which makes a big difference when people need us.

"Our approach is always to be proactive and make Cheshire a hostile place for criminals, even on Christmas Day. I called into Northwich to wish staff Happy Christmas but most of them were out putting a drug dealers door in which was typical of the relentless approach I want, whilst in Warrington on New Year's Eve officers were intervening at the first hint of trouble to stop it escalating.

"The majority of the public in Cheshire are really supportive of us which we appreciate, but we still had 39 assaults on officers which is utterly unacceptable and we will always prosecute such individuals to the full extent of the law."

Arrest numbers per LPU:

• Warrington – 387
• Chester – 273
• Crewe – 229
• Macclesfield – 179
• Congleton – 142
• Ellesmere Port – 137
• Runcorn – 137
• Widnes – 126
• Northwich – 120

Cheshire Police's efforts to keep Cheshire safe will continue. If you have been a victim of crime, report it via 101 or contact police via www.cheshire.police.uk.

In other policing news, Macclesfield Central residents are being asked to fill in a survey to improve policing in the area.