YOUNG people in Widnes who have been bullied are being urged to tell their story in a bid to help improve support services for victims.

It is part of a Cheshire-wide campaign by police and crime commissioner David Keane, who set up an anti-bullying board made up of community representatives tasked with tackling the issue of bullying of bullying both on and off line.

Mr Keane launched the commission earlier this year to tackle an issue of he described as "an epidemic amongst all generations on our society".

He is now opening a call for evidence which will travel across the county giving local people the opportunity to share their experiences of bullying.

The commissioner wants to capture as many views as possible during the call for evidence.

The first stage, which will collect evidence until November before reporting in early 2020, will focus on giving young people under 25 a voice.

The second and third stages will explore workplace bullying and the targeting of older people.

It will not only ask people about their experiences at the time of being bullied but also what support services they would like to see in place to support future victims of bullying.

The evidence collated will then be reviewed by the commission members and will be used to develop a set of recommendations for police and other criminal justice organisations, education establishments and elected representatives to consider how they can provide more protection for victims of bullying.

PCC David Keane said: "We see the devastating effects bullying can have on the self-esteem or confidence of young people every day.

"In some cases it's even led to suicide or self-harm.

"With the advent of cyber-bullying, bullying can now be relentless with no respite for its victims.

"We need to do more to protect young people but first we need to understand what support mechanisms need to be in place.

"What better way to do this than speaking to those who have lived experiences of bullying, whether that be someone who's been bullied themselves or a parent or guardian who has watched their child suffer at the hands of bullies."

Mr Keane and his team will hold community engagement sessions across Cheshire to capture people's experiences both on and off camera.

Some of the footage captured will be used in a documentary centred on giving a realistic portrayal of the effects of bullying on our communities.

Sessions will take place at Widnes VPX in Victoria Park, Widnes next Thursday (August 15) from 10am-4pm and Thursday, August 22 at Widnes Library in Victoria Square, Widnes (10.30am-2.30pm)

If you are unable to make it for the first two dates, there will also be a chance to tell your story at Warrington VPX in Victoria Park, Warrington this Tuesday (August 13) from 11am-4pm; Crewe Party in the Park, Pebblebrook Park, Crewe on Wednesday from 10am-4pm and Sandbach Market in Sandbach on Thursday August 29 from 9am-4pm).

There's also an opportunity for under 25s to tell their story online by clicking the following link

https://cheshire-pcc.gov.uk/what-im-doing/get-involved/public-consultations/open-consultations/anti-bullying-commission-call-for-evidence/