A COMMUNITY police base is now in operation in Lymm to help officers and PCSOs to make the most of their time on the patch.

Since July, officers and PCSOs have started and finished their shift in the town centre - clocking on and off from the Charles Stewart House on Museum Street.

But this has been met with some criticism over fears the changes would diminish community policing.

In spite of these changes chief inspector Pete Shaw said research by the force has shown that police visibility has actually marginally improved.

But members of council have agreed to let Cheshire Police have access to the Lymm Community Centre on Bridgewater Street meaning officers can access the force systems without the requirement to return to the main force centre in Warrington.

The building will be used by beat manager Chris Davies and PCSOs James Butterworth, Daren Davies and Ben Scholt.

This is the second community police base to open in the town after a similar contact point was opened at a Scout hub in Culcheth last month.

The community base will also allow members of the community to meet members of the force to discuss any concerns they may have at regular surgeries.

Sgt Gareth Kerr said the new facilities will ensure that officers and PCSOs spend the maximum amount of time on the beat and increasing police visibility in those areas.

He added: "In addition to just being a work station for the officers and PCSOs, it is also a place for members of the public to talk to us about any concerns they have."

The next surgery will be held on January 27 from 7pm to 8.30pm.

The second drop-in session will be held on March 2 with a third surgery planned for April 6.

Inspector Neil Drum said: "The aim is to increase the number of police community bases across Cheshire.

"From our perceptive, the more bases the better."