Ellesmere wharf complex plan is raising crime fears

A new 120-bedroom hotel, restaurant and 188-berth boating marina are being lined up for the Wharf in the hope it would bring more people into the town. It would also include a leisure spa with a swimming pool, fitness suite, indoor sports courts and bowling green.

But there is only one dedicated police officer on the beat in the town and fears have been raised by members of Ellesmere Rural Parish Council that the development could lead to an increase in crime.

Constable Paul Crump serves the town from the Grange Road police station with two community support officers, who have limited powers of arrest.

Councillor Lawrence Weilding of Ellesmere Rural Parish Council said: "The development has got to happen or else we'll never grow, but one of my worries is how we are going to look after it because at the moment we have one policeman and he must have to be a very good runner.

"It is not about the building but about the people. But we don't know much about it yet."

Councillor Weilding was speaking after a council meeting on Monday, where Councillor Kay Egerton reported on a pre-application meeting on the plans.

And parish councillor Ian Ward echoed the concerns.

He said: "I think the future of policing in Ellesmere is a concern for the rural and town councils – it is about making sure we have a police station that is properly resourced.

But Councillor Ward added: "We've been through phases when police numbers have diminished in the past but we have a good record on crime and it would be a shame if we don't have enough police."

By Dani Wozencroft