A SIX month investigation into suspected financial irregularity at a well-known Winsford charity has been dropped, the Guardian can reveal.

A short statement released by Cheshire Constabulary said WINCAP’s accounts were so badly managed that police had been unable to make a prosecution.

A spokesman said: “Cheshire Police are to take no further action in relation to a complaint made in October 2013 concerning the suspected theft of money from a charity in Winsford.

“Following a thorough investigation into this matter, the investigating officers found the financial records kept by the charity were in disarray and consequently there was insufficient evidence to proceed with any criminal charges.”

WINCAP offered advice, training opportunities and youth services from its Edge community centre headquarters in Cheviot Square for 18 years, until officers from Cheshire Constabulary’s economic crime unit started investigations on October 28, 2013.

The organisation was well-known throughout the region and received donations from Winsford Town Council.

Winsford Town Councillor, Steve Smith, who made WINCAP one of his chosen charities during his reign as mayor, said its closure had left ‘a massive void’ for people who benefited from its services.

Present mayor, Clr Gina Lewis, said Winsford had lost a ‘valuable resource at a time when it is most needed’.

Former WINCAP trustee, Jill McQuaid, said: “It remains an extremely sad situation that WINCAP had to close its door after many years of service, but we can now draw a line under it following the police decision.”


But Clr Charlie Parkinson said there were still unanswered questions about the facility’s closure.
“I’m surprised that it’s taken six months of investigation – and at goodness knows what cost to taxpayers – for the police to end up dropping the investigation,” he said.