Community Safety
GMP - Our Police in Our Community
Here are four recent items about our Local Police working closely together with our Local Communities:
CHIEF CONSTABLE REWARDS EXCELLENCE IN SOUTH MANCHESTER
The South Manchester Division of Greater Manchester Police is celebrating after picking up three awards at the Chief Constable’s Excellence Awards Ceremony, which was held at the Radisson Edwardian Hotel on Friday 6 March.
Officers in south Manchester picked up awards in the following categories: Chief Constable’s Award for Outstanding Leadership, Chief Constable’s Award for Lifetime Achievement and Chief Constable’s Award for Partnership Working.
Inspector Adrian Hopkins from the Wythenshawe Neighbourhood Policing Team was awarded the Chief Constable’s Award for Outstanding Leadership. During his time at Wythenshawe, Inspector Hopkins has championed improvement and change within his team and the community of Wythenshawe. Inspector Hopkins outstanding results speak for themselves. During the last three months (December 2008 – February 2009) compared to the same period last year there has been a 55 per cent reduction in robbery, 29 per cent reduction in burglary and a 50 per cent decrease in theft of motor vehicle in Wythenshawe.
Sergeant Jane Butler who nominated Inspector Hopkins for the award said: “As a supervisor Inspector Hopkins is aware of not just his immediate staffs capabilities but every single member of his team. We as a team work hard for him because we understand the benefit it has for the community and the team as a whole. He is always fully aware of his divisional and force priorities and takes the lead when devising initiatives and reactions to emerging problems.”
Detective Constable Robert Ashworth was awarded the Chief Constable’s Award for Lifetime Achievement. Throughout his 29 years of service, DC Ashworth has shown professionalism, which has been recognised at both Force and divisional level. He has come to be regarded as a highly skilled investigator and victims are often amazed at the level of fine grain detail uncovered by DC Ashworth during his investigation. It is this information and evidence, which is often instrumental in bringing the criminals to justice. He is an outstanding example of a Police Officer and all his colleagues aspire to achieve his standards.
Detective Constable Robert Ashworth said: “I joined the police because I wanted to help people and believed in my own ability to carry out the functions attributed to the role of constable. In my eyes there was no other vocation that ticked all the boxes. It simply has everything that I wanted and it was this desire that drove me.”
Finally, the South Manchester Division together with the North Manchester and Metropolitan was awarded the Chief Constable’s Award for Partnership Working for an excellent display of teamwork during Operation Respect, which tackled crime and anti-social behaviour across Manchester. Since the launch of Operation Respect, crime has been cut by half in some areas of Manchester while illegal drugs in excess of £300,000 have been seized and 200 graffiti sites cleaned up.
Divisional Commander of the South Manchester Division, David Anthony said: “There is a lot of excellent work being done to tackle crime and disorder across south Manchester, which is evident in the quality of this year’s award winners.
“The officers that have received awards from the Chief Constable have done so for their continual efforts and first class service they provide to not only members of the public, but also to their colleagues. I am pleased that their work has been recognised this way and congratulate them on their achievements.”
POLICE BRIEF OUT IN THE OPEN
Police in Wythenshawe took the unusual step of holding an outdoor briefing session in the open air to show the public that they’re dealing with the issues that matter to local communities.
Inspector Adrian Hopkins from the Wythenshawe Neighbourhood Policing Team briefed officers and partners ahead of an afternoon of door knocking, resident engagement and tackling anti-social behaviour.
Local residents were able to listen into the briefing, which took place on Gladeside Road and had the opportunity to ask Inspector Hopkins any questions regarding policing in their local neighbourhood.
Inspector Adrian Hopkins said: “The aim of the day was to give members of the community an insight into how the police work with partners to tackle crime. Tasks like this happen on a daily basis, but usually behind closed doors. This is the first time we have done anything like this and we plan to do more over the forthcoming months.
“This exercise gives the community an opportunity to meet their local officers and to raise awareness of the Wythenshawe Neighbourhood Policing Team. Over the coming months, police in Wythenshawe will be working towards delivering the Policing Pledge, giving people a minimum standard of service they can expect. Events such as this give residents the chance to tell us how they want their neighbourhood policed.”
POLICE PUT THE BRAKES ON BIKE THEFT
A police clampdown on bike theft in Wythenshawe has led to the return of 45 stolen cycles to their rightful owners.
Wythenshawe Neighbourhood Policing Team seized 55 bikes that they suspected had been stolen. Of these 45 have been returned to their owners and resulted in prosecutions. PC Steve Le Cheminant retrieved the majority of the bikes and has been praised by his colleagues and the public.
Police are urging cycle owners to make sure that they keep their bike securely locked using a robust security device such as a D shaped shackle. Residents should also record the serial number of their bikes and keep photographs of them, as it will improve the chances of the police returning them to their rightful owner if they are recovered.
Sergeant Jane Butler from the Wythenshawe Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “I want to reassure residents that police take bike theft very seriously and we will continue working to drive this crime down. As the arrests by PC Le Cheminant demonstrate, we have already had a huge success in retrieving stolen cycles and we hope to build on this.
“Residents can assist the police by making sure they secure their bikes when they are leaving them, even if just for a short time. If a thief spots a chance to steal something and get away they will. By following this simple advice people can help us put the brakes on bike theft.”
For extra peace of mind bikes and other valuables, such as mp3 players and mobile phones, can be registered on immobilise.com free of charge so that if they are stolen and later recovered they can be identified and returned to their rightful owners.
To report crime call police on 0161 872 5050 or for more information visit www.gmp.police.uk
You can also call anonymously with information about crime to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Crimestoppers is an independent charity who will not want your name, just your information. Your call will not be traced or recorded and you do not have to go to court or give a statement.
FREE LIGHTS TO FIGHT CRIME
Police in south Manchester will be giving out thousands of energy saving light bulbs to householders across Wythenshawe this month in a bid to protect homes from burglars.
The crime fighting initiative is backed by energy giants E-on who are providing the free light bulbs to help people save energy and ultimately reduce carbon emissions.
At least half the light bulbs will be given to householders in receipt of benefits with a maximum of two bulbs being allocated to each household. They will be encouraged to use the bulbs in external lighting and hallways to deter burglars. The low energy bulbs will also allow people to leave lights on when they are out or overnight in vulnerable locations while keeping energy costs down.
Neighbourhood Policing officers will be distributing the bulbs and will also use the opportunity to advise people on how to keep themselves and their property safe.
Inspector Adrian Hopkins from the Wythenshawe Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “External security lighting and leaving a light on in the home when you go out can greatly reduce your chances of falling prey to burglars. This partnership initiative will help people to safeguard their homes while keeping energy costs and carbon footprints down.
“Through Operation Guardian we have been tackling burglary on a number of different levels that include targeting known offenders through covert surveillance, warrants and curfew and bail condition checks. Neighbourhood Policing teams have also been busy providing high visibility patrols in hotspot areas and helping people to take measures that will decrease their chances of being burgled.
“These measures include shutting and locking all external doors and windows whether you are at home or not, and fitting and using a burglar alarm. We are committed to reducing burglaries and urge people to follow the simple advice here to keep burglars out in the cold.”