The Cheshire Police and Crime Panel met to review the Police and Crime Commissioner's (PCC) progress report on the Police and Crime Plan, consider the PCC's draft annual report, and address questions submitted in advance to the Commissioner. The Panel reviewed and accepted the draft annual report, and discussed the use of technology in policing, including live facial recognition, and measures to address harassment of elected officials.

Police and Crime Commissioner's Draft Annual Report

The Panel reviewed the draft of the Police and Crime Commissioner's Annual Report 2024-25, which covers the period from April 2024 to March 2025. The report highlights the Commissioner's commitment to listening to the public, modernising policing, and reducing crime. Key achievements noted in the report include:

• Cheshire being the safest place to live in the North West, according to the Office for National Statistics Crime Survey.
• An increase in police officers to over 2,400, the highest number the county has had.
• The launch of citizens' assemblies in Crewe and other areas, earning a Certificate of Excellence from the iESE Public Sector Transformation Awards.
• Investment of over £1.2 million to support victims and witnesses, helping thousands of people affected by sexual abuse and other crimes.
• The launch of the SWAP Fund, providing £200,000 to 58 community projects using money seized from criminals.
• The opening of the new Wilmslow police station, set to be one of the most energy-efficient and sustainable police buildings in the UK.

The report also details initiatives to tackle stalking and domestic abuse, including the Harm Reduction Unit and the CARA (Cautioning and Relationship Abuse) program. The Panel accepted the draft report.

Questions to the Commissioner

The Panel addressed questions submitted in advance to the Commissioner, covering topics such as the use of technology in policing, including live facial recognition (LFR), and measures to address harassment of elected officials.

Use of Live Facial Recognition

The Panel questioned the Commissioner on the use of live facial recognition (LFR) by Cheshire Police. The questions covered:

• Circumstances in which LFR is used.
• How the public is alerted to its use in public spaces.
• How Retrospective Facial Recognition (RFR) works and under what circumstances it is used.
• Whether Cheshire Police uses Operator-Initiated Facial Recognition.
• Whether Cheshire Police will seek to use the newest system, Strategic Facial Matcher, which is capable of searching a range of databases including custody records, immigration records, and the passport database.
• Whether Cheshire Police will seek to expand such technology to use fixed infrastructure facial recognition cameras or roving vans.
• How many images are on Cheshire Police's database, and whether it contains images of individuals who faced no further action or who were acquitted after charge.
• What safeguards Cheshire Police has for its use of such technology, particularly as concerns have been raised about the technology's accuracy in scanning the faces of people of colour and the potential for discrimination.

Harassment of Elected Officials

The Panel raised concerns about harassment of elected officials, referencing the Cheshire East Task and Finish Group: Harassment, Intimidation and Abuse of Councillors, and its final report. The Panel noted that female councillors were more likely to feel at risk when fulfilling their roles. The Panel asked the Commissioner about the current Staffordshire Police policy to support complainants and to underline the intentions of the Protection from Harassment Act 1997, and whether such a system could serve these purposes in Cheshire.

Commissioner's Progress Report on the Police and Crime Plan

The Panel considered the Commissioner's progress report on the Police and Crime Plan for April to August 2025. The report detailed progress across three main priorities: reducing crime, listening to the public, and modernising the police force. Key points from the report included:

• Reducing Crime: Initiatives such as the Domestic Abuse Pilot in Halton, sports activities for at-risk children, and community payback schemes.
• Listening to the Public: The continuation of citizens' assemblies to ensure local community input on policing strategies.
• Modernising: Development of a joint IT strategy with the Constabulary, funding for an AI tool to improve stalking identification, and exploring the use of drones.

The report also highlighted the opening of the Wilmslow police station and planning permission granted for an out-of-town deployment base in Crewe.

Panel's Work Programme

The Panel considered its work programme for 2025/26, which includes formal meetings, informal meetings with the Commissioner, and issues raised by Panel members for consideration at future meetings. Issues include:

• Update on Right Care, Right Person .
• Operation of Police Custody suites, including policy on intimate searching.
• Police training.
• Violence against women and girls.
• Restorative justice.
• Progress with implementation of recommendations from Angiolini Inquiry.
• Use of technology, including rollout of AI.
• Police culture.