Cnwa - Cheshire News And Appeals We 2 Nov 2018

Cnwa - Cheshire News And Appeals We 2 Nov 2018

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Cheshire Neighbourhood Watch Association

Week ending 2 Nov 2018

Cheshire News & Appeals

Latest Cheshire News

Two men jailed for drug dealing in Blacon

Two men have been jailed for more than 13 years in total for dealing drugs in Chester.

Daniel Meredith, 31, of Blacon Point Road, Chester, was jailed for eight and a half years at Chester Crown Court on Friday 26 October for conspiracy to supply class A drugs, heroin and cocaine, and possession with intent to supply class B drugs, cannabis.

Steven Anstey, 51, of Nevin Road, Chester, was jailed for five years at the same court a month earlier for possession with intent to supply heroin and cocaine, and assaulting a police officer.

Meredith was supplying local drug dealers in the Blacon area of Chester with heroin and cocaine brought over from Liverpool. He was caught after Anstey was stop searched by officers on April 21, 2017, and found to have 37 deals of heroin and 26 of crack cocaine and a phone seized by police was linked to Meredith. Whilst on bail for the first offence Anstey was stopped again and found with 15 bags of heroin and two of crack cocaine and assaulted a police officer during his arrest.

On August 2, 2017 Meredith was stopped by police in the Mersey tunnel and found with four ounces of cannabis and £995 in cash. His mobile phone was seized and a number of messages related to drug dealing were found on his phone including messages to Anstey, confirming that Meredith was supplying him with drugs to sell on.

Detective Inspector Andy Smith said: “Meredith was responsible for a large amount of the supply of drugs into Blacon and he used street dealers to do his dirty work. “Drugs cause misery for communities across the country and the sentence Meredith and Anstey have received reflects the seriousness of supplying them.”

Man charged with driving offences after a police pursuit in Northwich

Officers have charged a 19-year-old man with driving offences in Northwich. Ryan Smith, of Bordehill Gardens in Liverpool, was arrested near Davenham following a police pursuit through the Northwich and Kingsmead area shortly after 11.30am on Saturday 27 October. He has been charged with dangerous driving, driving while disqualified, failing to stop for police and driving without insurance. Smith has been remanded and will appear at West Cheshire Magistrates Court Monday 29 October. No members of the public were injured or harmed during the incident.

Two arrests made by detectives from the Serious Organised Crime Unit into the conspiracy to supply cocaine

Detectives from the Serious Organised Crime Unit (SOCU) have this morning (Wednesday 31 October) made a number of arrests into the controlled supply of class A drugs.

A 31-year-old man from Altrincham and a 40-year-old man from Warrington have been arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to supply cocaine and are currently in custody assisting police with their enquiries. Today’s arrests are part of our ongoing commitment and dedication to disrupt organised crime groups from supplying class A drugs.

Detective Chief Inspector Mike Evans, from the Serious Organised Crime Unit, said: “The arrests made this morning come as part of our continued fight against those intent on committing serious and organised crime within our communities. Our priority is to protect vulnerable people and help to ensure our communities are a safe place to live and we will not stop until all those involved in criminal activity realise Cheshire is a very difficult place to operate.

“We can’t do this on our own and need the public’s support in coming forward with any information to help disrupt organised crime. If you have any suspicions or information please call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Number of people in the North West seeking help to stop looking at sexual images of children doubles in just six months

Increase prompted by major public awareness campaign across the region

The number of people in the North-West seeking help to stop looking at sexual images of children online has more than doubled in just six months. In the six months between July 2017 and January 2018 1,747 people from the North West contacted Stop it Now! (Stop it Now! is a child sexual abuse prevention project run by child protection charity The Lucy Faithfull Foundation), seeking help for either their own online sexual behaviour, or for that of someone they knew. In the following six month period that figure had leapt to 3,549, a rise of 103%. People seeking help and support were able to access it via specialist self-help online resources on the Stop it Now! Get Help website or via the confidential and anonymous Stop it Now! Helpline (0808 1000 900). There were particularly steep increases in Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria which saw increases of 146%, 193% and 186% respectively in the number of people seeking help from Stop it Now! over the six month period. (A full count- by-county breakdown of data is available in Notes to Editor.)

The dramatic rise in the number of people seeking help from Stop it Now! follows a major public awareness raising campaign launched by Stop it Now! in January this year. The campaign was supported by the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit (NW ROCU) and police forces in Lancashire, Merseyside, Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Cumbria and North Wales. The campaign used traditional media, social media, posters and other public relations activities to:

• raise public awareness of the growing problem of people viewing and sharing sexually explicit images of under 18s online
• educate those offending about the harm caused to children in the images who are re-victimised each time their image is viewed online
• highlight the increase in police activity across the North West to tackle the issue
• drive home the consequences of their behaviour to offenders – including arrest, possible imprisonment, break up of family and being put on the Sex Offenders Register
• make people aware that there is help available to stop such behaviour via the Stop it Now! Helpline and the Stop it Now! Get Help website.

The NW ROCU and the six police forces communicated these key campaign messages via their social media channels to large numbers of people in the North West. And police forces also worked to engage local partners such as local authorities to further amplify the campaign and its messages via their own social media channels. A major conference, co-ordinated by the NW ROCU, was also held in Leigh near Wigan in April. The conference brought together police, social workers, local authorities and other frontline child safeguarding professionals to discuss strategies for further deterrence and prevention work in the North West.

Assistant Chief Constable Alan Barr, North West Regional Lead for Serious and Organised Crime, said: “The problem of viewing indecent images of children online has grown exponentially in recent years. Technological advancements, increased accessibility, and the presumption of anonymity have all led to more and more people viewing and sharing illegal images.

“Every time a sexual image of a child is viewed, that child is re-victimised and further demand is created. It is vital, therefore, that we work closely with partners and use all available resources to protect children and, wherever possible, prevent offending.

“We have a duty to protect children from harm and to deter individuals from committing these types of horrific offences and we continue to seek to identify and convict those who engage in this behaviour. But as the results of this campaign show, we can also educate and stop individuals from continuing to offend – or from offending in the first place.

“Enforcement activity remains a high priority for police locally, regionally and nationally. And being arrested comes with life-changing consequences for offenders and their families. To those engaged in this behaviour, I would say consider your actions now and seek help to stop. If not, you should expect to face serious consequences.”

Detective Inspector Stuart York from Cheshire Constabulary’s Strategic Public Protection Directorate added: "Safeguarding and protecting children from sexual abuse is a priority for Cheshire Constabulary. We are committed to seeking out individuals who abuse children through online activity, to bring them to justice and hold them to account for their actions. We are very pleased with the success of the Stop It Now! campaign which has seen an increase of nearly 200% of people seeking help about their online viewing habits in Cheshire.

“We will continue to support the work of the Lucy Faithfull Foundation and urge anyone who is worried about their online viewing habits, or that of family members or friends, to seek help from the Foundation. They can provide advice and intervention work to help people manage their thoughts and behaviours, and to help them to live responsible, fulfilling and law abiding lives. It is also important to make it clear that viewing or sharing sexual images of children is illegal – it is child abuse - and behind every image is a victim.”

Reflecting on the success of police co-operation with Stop it Now! in the North West so far, Director of the Stop it Now! Helpline, Donald Findlater, said: “We are delighted with the success of the campaign so far, with nearly 600 people from the North-West seeking help with online sexual behaviour towards children every month. Mostly these will be men seeking help to manage their own behaviour in viewing sexual images of children. But a growing number of other adults – wives, partners and parents – are getting in contact because of concerns about the online sexual behaviour of someone they love.

“But there are thousands more people in the North-West continuing to view sexual images of children online. Just as there are thousands more wives, partners and parents who are, or who should be worried about the online behaviour of someone they love.

“Some of these those engaged in this behaviour will be reading these words now. All of them need to be clear that sexual images of children are illegal, that children are harmed when they are made, and also each time they are viewed. Those who come to the attention of the police for such online offending put at risk everything they take for granted or have worked hard to achieve – family, friends, work, their liberty. The Stop it Now! Helpline offers them a confidential place to get help so their illegal online behaviour stops and stays stopped. Getting help takes just a phone call.”

Warrington woman jailed for £200,000 theft

A woman from Warrington who stole approximately £200,000 worth of goods from her employers has been jailed.

Karen Belton, 41, of Gainsborough Road, Latchford, was jailed for 20 months at Liverpool Crown Court on Tuesday 30 October. She had earlier pleaded guilty to one count of theft on Thursday 11 October.

Between 2009 and 2015 Belton was employed as Business Service Manager in Warrington where she was responsible for the day-to-day management of the office. She left the job in 2015 when the company relocated. In 2017, two years after relocating, a routine review by auditors revealed than an unusually large amount of money had been spent on printer cartridges and postage stamps during Belton’s time as Business Service Manager. Their suspicions were aroused further when they discovered that all of the items had been ordered and approved by Belton. The company reported its suspicions to Cheshire Police, who launched an investigation. During their enquiries officers discovered that Belton had set up an eBay account in 2008 under the name Merlin from where she was selling stamps and printer cartridges at discounted prices.

Detective Constable Carl Davis said: “The audacity and arrogance of Belton is quite simply unbelievable. She stole stamps and printer cartridges on an industrial scale and even had the nerve to operate her eBay account from her work laptop during work hours. She had a number of clients that she dealt with on a regular basis, purchasing stamps and cartridges through her work account after receiving their orders through eBay. In total we estimate that Belton stole approximately £200,000 worth of goods during her time at the company, with one client paying £159,479 into her account. Thankfully, as a result of the routine audit and a thorough investigation from Cheshire Police, Belton is now facing the consequences of her actions.”

Officers urge all road users to take extra care on Cheshire’s roads

Cheshire police is urging all road users to take extra care on the county’s roads following a series of fatal collisions.

Over the past week the Roads Policing team have dealt with six fatal collisions across Cheshire, along with two serious incidents on the M6 which brought the local road network to a standstill.

Superintendent Jo Marshall-Bell said: “As the lead for Road Policing in Cheshire I am deeply saddened by the loss of life over the last week. Each and every fatality is tragic and bring with them heartache and grief to all family and friends that will last forever. Fathers, mothers, sons, daughters, siblings, grandparents and friends are lost in such instances and this is such a waste of lives. “Last week the Road Policing team dealt with six fatal collisions in six days and the same team are continuing to investigate a further two fatal collisions that occurred earlier in October. One of which resulted in the death of two young men, bringing the total number of deaths to nine in October alone. All these collisions are being thoroughly investigated so we can provide answers to their families as to why their loved ones with never be returning home. Specialist officers are supporting grieving relatives and will stay with them throughout the enquiries and beyond. The causation factors will be established and this is where we as police and our partners in the fire and rescue service will focus our efforts in the future to ensure we do all we can to educate drivers and robustly enforce laws designed to keep the road using public safe going about their day to day lives. I write this as a plea to everybody who uses the roads to take a real look at themselves as drivers, riders and pedestrians and please use our roads safely. You can all play your part by keeping to speed limits, not drinking or taking drugs before driving, wearing seatbelts, not using mobile phones and generally paying 100% attention to the roads and other users.  This way we stand a chance of reducing casualties and preventing the recently all too common knock on the door from a police officer bearing bad news that will change lives forever.”

If you are aware of road users who regularly break driving rules then please contact Cheshire Police on 101, Alternatively information can be reported anonymously, via Crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111.

Cheshire Police also offer a facility on the website to upload any dashcam footage you may have of poor driving standards. Footage can be uploaded via the following link: https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries.

Three charged with drugs offences following Congleton drug warrant

Three people have been charged with drugs offences following a raid at an address in Congleton. At 6.48pm on 31 October officers carried out a warrant in Woolston Avenue and arrested two men and a woman. A 19-year-old man was charged with possession with intent to supply Class B drugs (Cannabis) and a 39-year-old man was charged with possession of cannabis. The 42-year-old woman was charged with permitting the use of premises for supplying cannabis. They were all bailed to appear at Stockport Magistrates on 19 November.

Two people from Cheshire honoured at Police Bravery Awards

Two people from Cheshire have been honoured at this year’s Police Bravery Awards.

Gareth Kendrick, 31, from Winsford, won a silver medal and 13-year-old Demi O’Sullivan from Ellesmere Port won a certificate for her bravery.

Gareth, a shop assistant, was given his award after he intervened when a suspected shoplifter became aggressive with staff at Asda on The Drumber, Winsford, on Monday 21 August 2018. The shoplifter threatened to kill a security officer and then began smashing bottles of spirits before brandishing a broken bottle neck towards staff. Gareth stood in between the man and staff and tried to calm him down. He persuaded him to go to the customer service desk for treatment on his hand which he had cut when smashing bottles. However, he began threatening Gareth again and Mr Kendrick then restrained the offender and removed the bottle from him and kept hold of him until officers arrived to arrest him. Gareth showed bravery, calmness and compassion when dealing with this vulnerable but dangerous individual. He put himself in the face of danger to protect others even when faced with the real possibility of serious injury.

After the awards event Gareth said: “After hearing some of the other people and what they won awards for I’m still surprised I got one! It is all a bit surreal. I had no idea about this until I won and I thought it was a scam to begin with. It still hasn’t really sunk in. I just wanted to make sure that everyone was ok, including the man who had been shoplifting because he was cut quite badly. I was the only manager there so I felt I had to do something. I was just trying to keep everyone safe and him calm.”

Demi O’Sullivan, who goes to Whitby High School, won her certificate after she helped a woman who had been the victim of domestic violence.

Demi was walking home from the park when she saw a woman sat on her doorstep who was upset and bleeding from a wound to her head. Demi went over to her and asked what had happened and was told that the woman's boyfriend had thrown a mug at her and thrown her out of the house along with some of her belongings. Demi called the police and ambulance she took her around the corner, away from the house, before running home to get the woman a cloth to give the woman first aid. Demi's mum, Bernie, said: "She was out the door telling me to quickly get a cloth and she was running off and trying to tell me what happened. I was made up with what Demi had done. Especially as three other people just walked past and didn't do anything. The girl was very upset and Demi was amazing with her." Demi and Bernie stayed with the woman until the police arrived and gave her first aid. Demi said that she helped because the woman was upset. She added: "She was crying and I didn't want to see someone hurt like that and I wanted to see something done about it."

Gareth and Demi were honoured at an event in London on October 30th.

Online sex offender from Chester jailed

A man from Chester who attempted to sexually exploit children online has been jailed.

Craig Warr, 41, appeared at Chester Crown Court on Friday 2 November, where he was sentenced to 12 months in prison. He had earlier pleaded guilty to four counts of attempted sexual communication with a child and four counts of attempting to cause a child to watch a sexual act. The charges relate to online activity between June 2018 and October 2018, when Warr formed relationships with whom he believed to be four separate girls under the age of 13. In each case Warr contacted the girls through social media using a number of false profile names, including Jay Write, Jaywrite1, Boredjay, Moonstar (DayandNight1066) and Jay Jay. He then groomed the girls, making them feel special in order to gain their trust and coerce them into engaging in sexual activity.  However, unbeknown to Warr, the ‘girls’ he was engaging with were actually law enforcement officers from the South West, West Midlands and Eastern Regional Organised Crime Units. The teams presented their evidence to Cheshire Police, who arrested Warr on Thursday 4 October following a raid at his home on Flag Lane, Chester.

Detective Constable Andy Kent, of Cheshire's Paedophile and Cyber Investigation Team, said: “Warr’s conviction is a damning indictment of the level and volume of predatory behaviour he demonstrated towards children. Throughout this investigation it has been clear that Warr’s aim was to engage with girls, no matter how old they were, for sexual purposes. In each case Warr was well aware of the age of the girls he believed he was communicating with, yet he still sent them sexually explicit videos and images of himself in order to fulfil his own sexual gratification. It is quite simply remarkable that Warr was caught in the act by three separate law enforcement agencies at the same time. I would like to thank my colleagues at the South West, West Midlands and Eastern Regional Organised Crime Units. Due to their dedication and commitment, along with the work of the team here at Cheshire Police, Warr is now behind bars and will no longer be able to abuse children.”

Upon sentencing Warr, His Honour Judge Patrick Thompson said his behaviour was ‘utterly disgusting’ and stated that his sentence 'should serve as a deterrent to other men looking to engage with children online’.

In addition to his prison sentence, Warr was also ordered to sign the sex offenders’ register for 10 years and handed a 10 year sexual harm prevention order.

DC Kent added: “This case highlights the dangers of social media and chat websites, demonstrating that people may not be who they claim be. I also hope that it acts as a reminder for all parents and guardians to warn their children of the dangers of communicating with people online and via social media, to check that they are using those things safely and to keep an eye out for any warning signs of sexual exploitation.”

For advice on identifying signs of sexual exploitation visit www.nspcc.org.uk/preventing-abuse/child-abuse-and-neglect/child-sexual-exploitation/signs-symptoms-and-effects.

To report a sexual offence call Cheshire Police on 101. Information can also be given online at https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Latest Cheshire Appeals

Officers appeal for witnesses following a fatal collision in Runcorn
Officers are appealing for witnesses to come forward following a fatal collision in Runcorn.

At around 1pm on Sunday 28 October a collision took place on the A533 Southern Expressway involving a silver Renault Megane car. The driver of the Renault Megane, a 27-year-old local man, died at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and they are currently being supported by specialist officers. At the time of the collision the car was travelling in the direction of Murdishaw when it is believed to have collided with a bridge at the side of the carriageway.

Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and officers are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or anyone who believes they have any dashcam footage of the incident.

Anyone with any information in relation to the collision is asked to call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 225015, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

To submit dashcam footage go online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage

Appeal for witnesses following a fatal collision in Northwich
Officers from Cheshire Police are appealing for information from the public following a fatal collision in Northwich.

The collision, which involved a blue Ford Focus and a blue Renault Kadjar, occurred at approximately 10.50am on Saturday 27 October on the B5153 Northwich Road near to the junction with Hodge Lane in Hartford. The driver of the Ford Focus, a 78-year-old woman from Northwich, died at the scene. Her next of kin have been informed and they are currently being supported by specialist officers. The driver of the Kadjar, a 76-year-old man from the Northwich area, received minor injuries while the passenger of the Kadjar, a 74-year-old woman received serious injuries. At the time of the collision the Ford Focus was travelling eastbound from Weaverham towards Northwich when it was involved in a collision with the Renault Kadjar, which was travelling in the opposite direction.

Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and officers are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the collision or anyone who believes they have any dashcam footage of the incident.

Anyone with any information in relation to the collision is asked to call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 224015, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

To submit dashcam footage go online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage

Appeal following fatal collision in Marston
Officers from Cheshire Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward following a fatal collision in Marston, near Northwich.

The incident, which involved a black BMW 318 and a white Vauxhall Insignia, occurred on Ollershaw Lane, Marston, at approximately 8.10pm on Friday 26 October. At the time of the collision the Insignia was travelling away from Northwich and the BMW was travelling in the opposite direction.  Sadly the driver of the BMW, 36-year-old Stuart Lowe from Northwich, passed away at the scene. His next of kin have been informed and they are being supported by a team of specialist officers. The driver of the a Vauxhall, a 43-year old man from Northwich, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics.

Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing officers are keen to hear from anyone who believes they may have witnessed the collision or has any information which may help the investigation.

Anyone with information in relation to the collision should call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 223550, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

To submit dashcam footage go online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage.

Witness appeal following supermarket burglary in Warrington
Detectives are urging witnesses to come forward following a burglary at a supermarket in Warrington.

At around 2.10am on Saturday 27 October four men wearing dark clothing and balaclavas broke into the Sainsbury’s store on Rushgreen Road in Lymm. They smashed a window at the supermarket’s entrance and stole a large quantity of cigarettes. The offenders then fled in a white Volkswagen Golf GTi that had been stolen from Hale in Trafford.

Enquiries into the incident are ongoing and detectives are keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the offenders entering or exiting the supermarket or saw anything suspicious in the area. They also want to speak to anyone who believes they may know who the offenders are or the location of the stolen car.

Detective Sergeant Thomas Hall said: “We are determined to catch the offenders and bring them to justice and I urge anyone with information that may help our ongoing investigation to get in touch. If you witnessed anything suspicious in the area or believe you may have dashcam footage of the offenders or the stolen Volkswagen Golf GTi we want to hear from you. Equally we want to speak to anyone who believes they may know the identity of the offenders or have information regarding the whereabouts of the stolen car.”

Anyone with information that may help detectives with their investigation, no matter how small, should call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 223815, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

To submit dashcam footage go online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage.Wt

Appeal for witness to farm burglary
Police officers from Warrington CID are appealing for information after a burglary at a farm in Culcheth.

The incident happened at 11pm on Friday 19 October at the farm on Wilton Lane, Culcheth. Two offenders have been captured on CCTV breaking into the property and stealing various items, including jewellery. They then got into a car and drove off towards Lowton.

Detective Constable Ian Morris said: “If you have any information about the incident or recognise the person in the CCTV still then please get in contact with Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number IML 217598.”

Appeal for information after a 93-year-old woman falls victim to distraction burglary

Officers from Warrington CID are appealing for witnesses to a distraction burglary where the victim was in her 90s.

The incident happened at approximately 11.30am on Wednesday October 31 when three men knocked on the door of the woman on Penkford Lane, Burtonwood. When she answered the door the three men were stood in her front garden and a fourth was sitting in a white van wearing a hi-vis jacket. The men claimed they were from the water board and asked to come into the property to check the water metre. The victim let one man into the address but left the door open. The man was shown the water meter and he then said he needed to see the kitchen to check the taps. He distracted the victim by asking her to remove some cleaning products from underneath her sink and whilst she was doing this she saw one of the other men enter her living room. She asked the man what he was doing and grabbed hold of his arm. A third man then came downstairs and all three men ran out of the address into the white van. The van then drove off in the direction of Burtonwood. The men stole approximately £100.

The first man is described as white, in his 40s, approximately 5’7”, medium build, with a local accent and wearing a hi-vis vest. The second male is described as white, in his early 20s with dark hair. The third male is described as white, in his 20s with light coloured hair.

Detective Constable Vicky Hancox said: “These men have used a vulnerable woman’s trusting nature as a way to steal money. It is utterly disgusting and we need the help of everyone in the community to catch the thieves. If you are unsure about whether to let someone in who calls do not let them in. Ask for identification and do not call any of the numbers they give you. Find a number in the phone book or online. If you have any doubts ask them to come back another time when you are not alone. There is no such thing as the water board any more. There are water companies but if anyone says they are from the water board please call the police.

“If you have any information about this incident please call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting incident number IML 227599.”

Appeal for witnesses following serious assault in Warrington

Officers from Cheshire Police are appealing for witnesses to come forward after two men were seriously assaulted in Warrington.

At around 8.30pm on Tuesday 30 October two men, age 42 and 36, were walking along Toll Bar Road, opposite Warrington Storage King, when a dark coloured car pulled up alongside them.  Two unknown men then got out of the vehicle and began to violently assault the victims. The 36-year-old man was struck several times with a metal bar, while the 42-year-old man was punched in the face. Both men, who are from the Warrington area, sustained a number of injuries as a result of the attack; with the 36-year-old man requiring hospital treatment.

The suspects are both believed to be men, in their mid 20’s with Liverpool accents.

Detective Constable Sophie Davies said: “At the current time this appears to be an isolated incident and we are committed to doing all that we can to trace the people responsible. Enquiries in relation to the incident are ongoing and I’m keen to hear from anyone who witnessed the incident, or anyone who believes they have any information which may assist our investigation. I’m particularly keen to hear from anyone who was driving on Winwick Road or Toll bar Road between 8pm and 9pm on 30 October and believes they may have dashcam footage that could help our investigation.

Anyone with information that may help detectives with their investigation, no matter how small, should call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 227228, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

To submit dashcam footage go online at www.cheshire.police.uk/advice-and-support/roads-and-vehicle-safety/submit-dashcam-footage.

Appeal to help trace missing Runcorn man

Cheshire Police are appealing for information to help find a 49-year-old man from Runcorn.

Mark Miles was reported missing from his home in the Castlefields area on Monday 29 October. CCTV footage shows that he got on the 110 Arriva bus in Castlefields at 8.18am that day. He was still on the bus when it was on Moor Lane in Widnes. It was on the way to Warrington – its final stop was Warrington Bus Station in the town centre – but officers do not know which stop Mark got off at. Mark has not been seen since. Officers have released a CCTV image of Mark on the bus. They are concerned for his welfare and are appealing for anyone who has seen or spoken to him this week or has information regarding his whereabouts to get in touch.

Cheshire Police Inspector Darryl Jones said: “Extensive enquiries to locate Mark are ongoing and we and his family are becoming increasingly concerned for his wellbeing – it has been more than three days since he was last seen. We know that he got on a Warrington-bound bus in Castlefields in Runcorn on Monday morning and was still on it when it was in Widnes, but we do not know which stop he got off at. I urge anyone who has seen Mark, or anyone matching his description, in Widnes, Warrington or anywhere else to come forward. We are also keen to speak to anyone who believes they may have information regarding his whereabouts or anything else that may help us to trace him and reunite him with his family.”

Mark is described as white, around 5’ 8” tall with a medium build. He has short grey hair and brown eyes. On the day that he went missing he was wearing a black coat with a blue top underneath it, black trousers and black shoes.

Anyone with information that may help officers find Mark, no matter how small, should call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 225879.

Man from Warrington wanted for failing to appear in court

Police are asking the public to help them trace a 27-year-old man from Warrington who is wanted after failing to appear in court.

Warrington Magistrates’ Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of Scott Stevens, who was recently known to be living in King George Crescent, Padgate. The warrant was issued on Thursday 4 October after Stevens failed to appear at the court to answer an assault charge.

Stevens is described as white, around 5’ 11” tall with a slim build. He has brown hair and blue eyes and is believed to be in the Warrington or Newcastle upon Tyne areas.

Anyone who sees Stevens or has any information regarding his whereabouts is asked to contact Cheshire Police on 101, quoting 18100311195, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Detectives in Warrington appeal for witnesses to a serious assault

Detectives in Warrington are appealing for witnesses to come forward following a serious assault.

At 9.30pm on Wednesday 31 October a 19-year-old man was inside a flat on Folly Farm Close when two men entered the address and attacked him. The two men then ran away from the flat in the direction of Folly Lane. A 19-year-old man was taken to Warrington District General Hospital with serious injuries to his face and is in a stable condition.

Detective Sergeant Ian McNabb, of Warrington CID, said: “While our enquiries continue I am keen to hear from anyone who has any information to help with the investigation. Although the assault took place inside the flat I believe local residents may have seen or heard a disturbance shortly beforehand and I would encourage you to come forward and call police on 101. This was a vicious assault leaving the victim with serious injuries to his face and requiring hospital treatment.”

Please call Cheshire Police on 101, quoting IML 228173, give the details via https://cheshire.police.uk/contact/general-enquiries or contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.