SADDLEWORTH and Lees’ new neighbourhood sergeant aims to bring back high profile policing to the streets as he steps into the role backed by an increased team.
Sgt Paul Heap is taking over from Sgt Neil Barker, who retires in March, after spending three years in Oldham including as neighbourhood office for Coldhurst.
He will be supported by an increased team of PCs – one for each of the three areas of Saddleworth and Lees – as well as six PCSOs.
And PC Taz Adam-Smith is the community’s new Police Now officer who will work in Saddleworth School for 20 per cent of her time alongside her community policing role.
She will engage with students about topics such as cyber bullying, knife crime and hate crime and improve the relationship with the school and pupils.
Sgt Heap, who has 24 years’ experience in Tameside, Stockport and the centre of Manchester, hopes to bring a proactive and visible approach to local policing.
He said: “I’m excited to take this role on as it’s a bit nearer to home and I know the area.
“I live in Tameside but my grandparents lived in Greenfield so I spent a lot of time here growing up and I have a connection to the area.
“The work ethic here is very good. The team is fantastic so I can just let them get on with what they do.
“Some people say they do not see enough of the police so I want to change that and bring in some high profile policing and show we are about on the streets.
“My PCSOs have all got 10 or more years’ experience each so all together it adds up to more than 70 years and the PCs have more than 10 years’ experience each too.”
Sgt Heap explained they will be responding to local problems en masse, such as all officers going out to monitor anti-social behaviour in Lees, aiming to deter groups and also reassure the public.
And they will look at crime patterns and trends so they can change their night shifts and early hours to address that.
Sgt Heap, who has worked on the custody side and as an intelligence officer, added the community policing team will work closely with Oldham Central and Oldham Council.
Welcoming Sgt Heap to the team, Sgt Barker said: “Paul will do a great job as he brings with him a wealth of experience and tons of enthusiasm.
“I am sure policing in Saddleworth will be in good hands with Paul.”
When Sgt Barker announced his retirement at the January meeting of the Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership, councillors thanked him for his hard work and support.
Cllr Steve Hewitt said: “Thank you for looking after us through a few torrid crime waves.”
Cllr Graham Sheldon added: “I was always impressed by how you knew what was happening on the high streets as well as all the back lanes or other problems areas.
“Thank you for looking after the community.”
Cllr Barbara Beeley commented: “Thank you for your professionalism.
“You were always patient and understand whatever problems we brought to you.”
And Lisa MacDonald, from the Saddleworth and Lees District Partnership, said: “Thank you for Neil and the rest of the team for working closely with us.
“The projects we have worked on together and achieved are brilliant.”
Is there a similar policing Seargent in the Stockport area that we can get in touch with
As we are experiencing a lot of problems in a small estate in Stockport
Thank you in anticipation
I would love to have a meeting with the new sergeant and his team just to hear about all the good things they are doing in the area as there certainly not doing much in my area waterhead greenacres littlemoor etc so let’s meet up and I will tell you what your not doing. And were you can improve.