Cheshire's Chief Constable Mark Roberts has announced his departure from the force, two years earlier than planned, sparking speculation about the reasons behind his early exit. Roberts stated that "the decision has been made to take the force in a different direction," but no further explanation has been provided.
Roberts, who has led the Cheshire Constabulary since 2021, was expected to remain in his position until 2028. His early departure comes at a time when the force's handling of the Lucy Letby investigation has faced renewed scrutiny. Cheshire Police had previously expressed pride in their investigation, which they described as "like no other in scope, complexity and magnitude," involving "a detailed and painstaking process by a team of almost 70 police officers."
Despite the force's continued belief in the strength of their case and their public displeasure when the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) declined to bring new charges against Letby in January, the CPS has maintained its position. The CPS stated that "the evidential test was not met in any of those cases" and, following a review requested by parents of the alleged victims, upheld its original decision not to pursue further charges. The CPS described this as a "final decision."
Roberts' announcement of his departure followed five days after the CPS confirmed its final decision regarding the new charges. The Chief Constable's contract and the reasons for his early departure are reportedly a matter for the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). Inquiries to the Cheshire PCC's office have not yet yielded a response, and the Home Office has stated it is not involved.
The silence surrounding Roberts' exit has led to questions about potential internal issues within the force, particularly in light of the Letby case's prominence and the recent CPS decision. The lack of transparency has fueled speculation, with observers noting that the Chief Constable’s retirement statement did not mention the Letby investigation, despite it being the most high-profile case handled by the force during his tenure.