RESIDENTS in Tarporley are now able to get in touch with the police via a newly-installed Contact Point at Tarporley Fire Station.

Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner John Dwyer had challenged the Constabulary to come up with innovative ways to make contacting the police even easier.

The interactive touchscreen Contact Points are another way the public can contact the Constabulary, report a crime or seek out helpful information.

Mr Dwyer met with Tarporley Fire Station manager Matthew Barlow and Northwich Local Policing Unit Chief Inspector Simon Meegan on February 1 to officially open the Contact Point.

Mr Dwyer said: “Keeping connected with our rural communities is crucial, and I am delighted that Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service is supporting the Constabulary to achieve this.

“I am investing in Contact Points and police community bases to support the Constabulary in delivering on the Chief Constable’s ‘We’re Here’ commitment to the people of Cheshire.

“The Constabulary must be accessible to the public in as many ways as possible.

“The Contact Point is a real benefit for residents who now have another way to get into contact with the Constabulary to raise any policing concerns they may have.

“Local community policing remains one of my priorities, and I am committed to maintaining a high level of service through innovative and modern means.

“The plan is to continue to introduce contact points and community bases across the county to ensure our communities stay connected and safe.”

Chairman of Cheshire Fire Authority, Cllr John Joyce, said: “We are only too happy to work with our Constabulary colleagues to be able to help the local community to report crime in the area using the contact point at Tarporley Fire Station.

The Contact Points are interactive touchscreen systems which have been placed in convenient locations across Cheshire to allow the public to speak to a Force operator via telephone or web chat.

There are a variety of types of contact points.

Some of the kiosks are fitted into police station walls and look a little like ATMs, and some are free-standing kiosks that plug into a wall.