CREWE councillors are setting up an action group with police to help tackle knife crime.

The group, which will also look into other initiatives to help keep the local community safe, has been spearheaded by Cheshire East Labour councillors Laura Smith, Steve Hogben and Labour town councillor Alan Coiley.

Fellow Labour politician Cllr Anthony Critchley joined local beat officers recently for a knife sweep of Derby Docks and the councillors want to continue to develop a collaborative approach with the force.

The councillors met with police at Spedali's Coffee Shop and Eatery on Nantwich Road (see picture).

Cllr Laura Smith said: "It is vitally important that councillors and the police work closely together to share information and ensure residents can live and work in a safe environment.

"As a result of our meeting we will be creating a new action group alongside local businesses and organisations in Crewe South to make sure we can work as one to tackle ongoing issues."

Cllr Critchley joined in with the knife search alongside officers, Crewe Rangers and residents from the Guinness Partnership.

He said: "It's great to see cross-organisation community engagement in this way to keep our streets safe and free from knives. I will continue to be involved in these sweeps until we eradicate discarded knives from our community spaces."