Cheshire Independent Issue 202

11 JUNE 2025 Visit our website: www.independentnewspapers.co.uk THE team behind Con- gleton Pride is reaching out to local businesses asking for support with a number of sponsorship packages still available. Organisers are also asking businesses to support Pride by decorating their shop win- dows in rainbow colours with a prize for the best display that will be announced on the day of the event. Now in its sixth year, the family friendly, free event will take place throughout the town centre and Congle- ton Market Quarter on Sat- urday July 19. Malcolm Pope, chair of Congleton Pride, said: “Pride serves as a potent reminder of the struggles and victories of the rainbow community, highlighting the ongoing fight for acceptance, equal rights and protection against discrimination. “It’s a beacon of solidar- ity, an open declaration that love transcends boundaries and vibrant call for unity in diversity.” “If you believe in equality and diversity within your business, then your goals are already aligned with ours. Thousands attend Con- gleton Pride every year and we’d love to hear from busi- nesses large and small from across Congleton. “Decorating your shop win- dow is a simple way to show support for the LGBTQIA+ community. And our spon- sorship packages have been designed to help businesses find the best way to help us, with prices starting from£25. “Your support can help AN artificial intelligence (AI) capability is being developed in Cheshire to enable com- plex stalking behaviours to be identified by police at an early stage. Cheshire has become the first force in the UK to use AI as a tool during stalking investigations. The pioneering work is the result of a successful £300,000 bid to the Police STAR (Science, Technology, Analysis and Research) Fund, made by Dan Price, Cheshire Police and Crime Commissioner. He said: “It’s vital that the constabulary adopts technology and uses it to help tackle crime. Modernising Cheshire Police is one of my key pillars in my Police and Crime Plan. I am making important strategic decisions to ensure technology is embraced by the constabulary. “If this programme is proven to work here in Cheshire, we’re hop- ing it will be adopted nationally by other forces, to help victims all over the country, increasing public confidence in the police.” On average, Cheshire Police records 10 stalking offences a day. Its Harm Reduction Unit (HRU) – specialising in tackling stalking and harassment – man- ually reviews incidents to identify stalking and help victims. The AI capability will analyse incoming incident reports created by police call handlers whilst they’re talking to a victim. The programme will be trained using information provided by the force’s HRU and the Suzy Lam- plugh Trust to help identify stalk- ing behaviours, regardless of the word stalking being mentioned. This will flag the incident up to the HRU enabling the offence to be identified at an early stage. Detective Chief Inspector Danielle Knox, lead for stalking at Cheshire Police, said: “Stalk- ing is a hugely impacting crime on victims and their families; our approach to this serious and complex crime needs to be right from the outset where we can identify behaviours at the earli- est opportunity. “The hope is that the use of AI will further support Cheshire Police harness AI to help catch stalkers Call for businesses to support Pride Live: Chasing the Fall performing at Congleton Pride 2025 make the town a safer, kinder, and more equal place for all.” James Ede, veterinary director at Millie’s Vet,s said: “I am proud that we have the opportunity to support diversity and equality in our wonderful town by being the main sponsor again this year. “Supporting a charity that has at its core making Con- gleton a safe and welcoming town for all, is really impor- tant to me.” For more information about the benefits and the sponsorship options availa- ble, visit: www.congletonpride. co.uk/sponsor or email: spon- sor@congletonpride.co.uk Police’s leading approach to tackling stalking, holding perpetrators to account, and protecting victims. “Cheshire’s Harm Reduction Unit are seeking to use this technology to further improve how quickly we identify stalking crimes and therefore how quickly we are able to robustly deal with the perpetrators.”