PCC for Cheshire John Dwyer, 2016/17 police budget

Cheshire’s Police Crime Commissioner has taken a swipe at Cheshire East Council’s leader for missing a key “summit” on tackling child sexual exploitation.

Crime Commissioner John Dwyer said it was “disappointing” that Cllr Michael Jones had not attended the meeting.

Police and council chiefs across Cheshire met to forge plans to root out child sexual abuse and exploitation across the county.

And it came in the week of disturbing revelations in neighbouring Stoke-on-Trent where reports suggest hundreds of children have been sexually exploited by gangs over the last decade.

Mr Dwyer (pictured) says he met with with the Chief Constable and borough council leaders to discuss best practice.

But he added: “It was disappointing that the Leader of Cheshire East Council was not at the meeting.

“I will be meeting him in the next week or so to ensure he understands the importance of his council working with all of the other agencies in this important area.”

Mr Dwyer said each council is “actively reviewing” its child safeguarding arrangements in the light of other recent scandals in Rotherham and Rochdale.

“These reviews will conclude in the next few weeks,” he added. “We will meet again to consider the outcomes.

“It is very important we all act together, not one of the agencies who met can tackle child sexual exploitation alone.

“We all have a role to play, not least the local authorities and their leaders.

“We had a very productive meeting but there is still more to do.

“We need to ask the right questions, of the right people, for the right reasons.

“I want to be sure all of us are doing everything we can to make sure we are prepared to act swiftly and appropriately.

“The most important matter here is the safety of our children and I appeal to young people and the public in general to have the confidence to report any fears or concerns that they may have to any of the agencies involved.

“Should any victim feel that their concerns are not being listened to, I urge them to make contact with me and I will ensure that they are heard.”

Nantwichnews contacted Cheshire East Council for a reply to Mr Dwyer’s comments, and are awaiting our own response.

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