There has a been hidden police presence at Congleton schools this week, to protect teenage girls from harm.

As Congleton pupils return from the half term, Cheshire Constabulary have ramped up their undercover presence around our schools, in a bid to bring back trust from taxpayers.

The move follows recent reports of drinks spiking in the north west, and movements to further protect females after the spring death of Sarah Everard.

Cheshire Constabulary, as with all forces, is hoping to bring back the faith of the public in the police. And this initiative is one step forward to do so.

Undercover officers have been patrolling near schools in Cheshire to try and protects schoolgirls from harassment and abuse, the county's top officer has said.

Speaking at the launch of the Police and Crime Commissioner's new Police and Crime Plan this week, Chief Constable Mark Roberts also revealed plain clothes officers would be going undercover in the county's nightspots amid fears revellers could be targeted by 'predatory people'.

The Chief Constable was answering questions at the launch event on the issue of domestic abuse, but said there were 'broader issues' around violence against women and girls which needed to be tackled.

He said: "We've been having covert, plain clothes patrols around schools where schoolgirls on occasions have suffered abuse and some of the cat calling and unpleasant stuff that can go on.

"We've been doing that around schools within the county to try and ensure that we're keeping people safe."

Violence and sexual offences is the most common crime in Congleton East and Congleton West, with a portion of these victims being young women.

He said the constabulary would also be carrying out 'significant operational activity' in the coming weeks to try and ensure people were kept safe over the festive season.

He said: "There's a whole range of activity that we're planning in the run-up to Christmas to keep the night time economy safe, looking at covert and overt means to try and make sure that people out for a good time can't be targeted, because sadly there are predatory people out there who wish to take advantage of people.

"That's very high on the national agenda, but even in advance of that we're really proactive in trying to get ahead of the game and make sure we're keeping people safe."

He also reiterated the force's commitment to tacking domestic abuse, but said they could 'not just arrest their way out' of the problem, with a co-operative approach needed with other organisations.

He said: "We currently work hard on it but we can do better. That will require effort from partners as well.

"Certainly on things like Domestic Violence Protection Orders, I'm putting a real focus and drive on that, because that's a key means to keeping people safe and we recognise that prosecution isn't always the only outcome, but we need partners to work with us on that."

Cheshire East Women's Equality Party, who have elected representation in Congleton, will be approached for comment on the new initiative.

It is unknown which Congleton schools have been hosted the undercover cops, for the safety of the officers.

Both male and female officers have taken part in the undercover operation.

It is also not confirmed if it is just secondary schools, or primary schools as well.

The news follows claims this week that the brand new Congleton Local Policing Unit will bring a 'visible presence' and make our town safer.

Please click here to read more about the opening of Congleton LPU.

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