THE views of thousands of residents are helping police to draw up their priorities for the new year.

About 2,000 people attended roadshows and public meetings last year in order to express their views on the local police service.

Now the results of these meetings are helping the new chief constable, David Whatton, to establish policing priorities for 2011.

Margaret Ollerenshaw, chairman of the Cheshire Police Authority, said: “An important part of our role is to listen to people’s views about policing and where the public feel the police should focus their time and effort.

“This year we have gathered the views of almost 2,000 members of the public about their priorities for policing and about police services.”

The results have helped Cheshire Police to identify areas which are essential to the public. The top five of these areas are:

Responding to emergency services

Tackling violent crime

Detecting crime and arresting offenders

Tackling organised crime and terrorism

Tackling domestic crime and child abuse.

The authority has also proposed a series of objectives for 2011, which are:

Responding to protect and care for individuals and the public

To understand and strive to meet the expectations of the people of Cheshire

Maintain the trust and confidence of the public

Work with the public and police partners to reduce crimes and acts of anti-social behaviour

Bring offenders to justice, and provide the best care for victims and witnesses, and prevent reoffending

Make the best possible use of resources and prevent waste.