THOUSANDS of residents across Cheshire have been telling the county police what to concentrate on in 2009.

Cheshire Police Authority consulted more than 2,500 people using a combination of surveys, touch screen kiosks in post offices, focus groups and a conference for young people.

The public said their top priorities for policing are responding to emergency calls; targeting organised crime and terrorism; targeting drug dealers; tackling domestic and child abuse; detecting crime and arresting offenders; and protecting witnesses.

Moira Chapman, lead Police Authority member for engagement said: “We will be discussing how the Constabulary will address these issues with the Chief Constable David Whatton over the next couple of months.”