HALTON councillior John Stockton is urging the Government to stop cuts to the police force.

Officer numbers in Cheshire have fallen since cuts were brought in and Mr Stockton, the Labour candidate for the role of crime commissioner, says they must not be substituting specials for regular police.

He added: “I hugely value the work special constables do here in Cheshire.

“But there wouldn't be the need for such a dramatic recruitment increase in volunteers if the Tory-led Government wasn't forcing Cheshire Police to cut so many full time police officers.”