Petition: United for Safer Chester Schools – Protecting Our Children Together

To: Cheshire Constabulary and Local Community Safety Partners

Petition Title: Demand Increased Police Patrols and Community Safeguarding for Chester’s Children

We, the undersigned residents of Chester, stand united in our commitment to ensuring the safety of our children following concerning incidents across the area. In Blacon, incidents include: on October 14, 2025, two unidentified men engaged children through a primary school fence, fleeing when approached (Cheshire Police ref: IML-2194734); an attempted abduction of a child by two masked men at a park (2025); children encountering suspicious white vans changing direction multiple times while targeting boys (October 2025); a white van approaching three girls at a park, with suspects told to leave by police (October 2025); and a man following girls off a bus near a shop in a residential area (October 2025). Beyond Blacon, concerns include: a child approached by a man in a van near a school in Leftwich, Northwich, offering sweets (January 2025); suspicious behavior near an after-school club in Northwich (March 2025); and suspicious activity near a family-friendly park in Chester city centre (April 2025). These events have unsettled our diverse community—people of all faiths and backgrounds—who share a dedication to keeping our children safe in schools, parks, after-school clubs, and residential areas where they gather.

For decades, Chester’s strength has been its unity, raising families alongside one another. We reject division and fear-mongering, especially amid recent UK tensions, and call for collective action to protect our children across all neighborhoods.

Under Section 11 of the Children Act 2004, Cheshire Constabulary has a duty to safeguard children through effective community engagement. The Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 guidance mandates multi-agency collaboration to assess risks and share updates. To prevent vigilante actions that risk breaching the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), we respectfully request:

1.  Increased Police Patrols: Enhance visible patrols around primary and secondary schools in Chester, including Dee Point Primary and Blacon High School, as well as parks, after-school clubs, and residential areas where children gather, in line with child protection protocols.

2.  Stronger Security Measures: Install surveillance cameras and improve perimeter checks at schools, parks, and community facilities to deter threats, per the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.

3.  Transparent Community Updates: Provide regular updates on investigations and risk assessments to foster trust and informed vigilance without self-policing.

We aim for 1,500 signatures to secure a full Cheshire West and Chester Council debate on these urgent measures, subject to the council’s Petition Scheme. We call on all Chester residents, faith groups, and community partners to join us in this shared mission. We request a response within 28 days, including a meeting with Neighbourhood Patrol representatives to discuss implementation.

Personal information provided (name, email, postcode) will be handled in compliance with GDPR for verification purposes only. Sign now to show Chester’s united commitment to ensuring all families feel secure under UK law. Together, we can build a safer community for our children.

Signatories: (Please provide your name, email, and postcode for verification)