CHESHIRE'S Police and Crime Commissioner has become the first in the country to provide accessible versions of his strategy for combating crime.

The police and crime plan sets out the priorities for tackling criminal activity in the county and has been shaped partly by feedback from residents.

It will now be published in three formats - easy read, audio and British Sign Language - all designed to help those who have learning disabilities and visual and audio impairments to access the plan and engage with policing on the issues that matter to them.

John Dwyer, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said: “Nobody should feel that they can’t have the same level of access to information or share their views, especially when it comes to policing.

“In the plan itself, I talk about embracing the diversity of our communities and that includes disabled people."

Since taking office the Commissioner said he has met with different groups, including the Deafness Support Network (DSN) and agencies who provide support for those with learning difficulties, to better understand what he said were people’s policing needs.

He added: “It’s important to turn words into action and that’s what I’ve done by producing these accessible versions. I want to thank the DSN and Disability Positive in particular for helping me and my office throughout this process."

Accessible versions of the Plan are available here.