There has a been hidden police presence at Macclesfield schools this week, with the aim to protect teenage girls from harm.

As Macclesfield pupils return from the half term, Cheshire Constabulary have ramped up their undercover presence around our schools, in a bid to bring back trust from taxpayers.

The move follows recent reports of spiking women's drinks in the north west, and movements to further protect girls after the spring death of Sarah Everard.

Cheshire Constabulary, as with all forces, is hoping to bring back the faith of the public in the police. And this initiative is one step forward to do so.

Undercover officers have been patrolling near schools in Cheshire to try and protects schoolgirls from harassment and abuse, the county's top officer has said.

Both male and female officers have taken part in the undercover operation.

Speaking at the launch of the Police and Crime Commissioner's new Police and Crime Plan this week, Chief Constable Mark Roberts also revealed plain clothes officers would be going undercover in the county's nightspots amid fears revellers could be targeted by 'predatory people'.

The Chief Constable was answering questions at the launch event on the issue of domestic abuse, but said there were 'broader issues' around violence against women and girls which needed to be tackled.

Mr Roberts said: "We've been having covert, plain clothes patrols around schools where schoolgirls on occasions have suffered abuse and some of the cat calling and unpleasant stuff that can go on.

"We've been doing that around schools within the county to try and ensure that we're keeping people safe."

Violence and sexual offences is the most common crime in Macclesfield, with some of these victims being young women.

Central Macclesfield recorded 75 violence or sex offences in September 2021.

Mr Roberts also said Cheshire Constabulary would also be carrying out 'significant operational activity' in the coming weeks to try and ensure people in and out of Macclesfield were kept safe over the festive season.

He said: "There's a whole range of activity that we're planning in the run-up to Christmas to keep the night time economy safe, looking at covert and overt means to try and make sure that people out for a good time can't be targeted, because sadly there are predatory people out there who wish to take advantage of people.

"That's very high on the national agenda, but even in advance of that we're really proactive in trying to get ahead of the game and make sure we're keeping people safe."

He also reiterated the force's commitment to tacking domestic abuse, but said they could 'not just arrest their way out' of the problem, with a co-operative approach needed with other organisations.

He said: "We currently work hard on it but we can do better. That will require effort from partners as well.

"Certainly on things like Domestic Violence Protection Orders, I'm putting a real focus and drive on that, because that's a key means to keeping people safe and we recognise that prosecution isn't always the only outcome, but we need partners to work with us on that."

Cheshire East Women's Equality Party will be approached for comment on the new initiative.

It is unknown which Macclesfield schools have been had the undercover cops, for the safety of the officers.

It is also not confirmed if it is just Macclesfield secondary schools, or primary schools as well.

Please click here to read another local crime story from Macclesfield Nub News.

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