Brief - Spring 2013 Edition

Spring 2013 Edition

The The voice voice of of Greater Greater Manchester Manchester Police Police

In this issue...

New burglary toolkit Economic crime Operation Marine

Cover feature: GMP’s new iPhone app page 4

Regulars

The pace of change THE pace of change is continuing and as we head towards the next financial year we know there will be challenges and opportunities ahead.

It can be something that people find unsettling but continuing to find new ways of doing things and transforming what we do is essential.

Only if we do this can we continue to provide the service we want to for the people of Greater Manchester.

We are on the verge of the policing model being rolled out across the Force which will change what many people do, but also will improve the. I have spoken many times about the importance of innovation to navigating through the impact of the financial situation.

Change is a constant for us all in our personal lives and it is the same for us in GMP. In this edition of Brief there are

more details about the policing model introduction, the review of Serious Crime and Specialist Operations known as Pegasus, and the Transforming Support Services work considering the support functions. This change can be unsettling but it is vital work if we are to shape policing for the future.

Out of all this change there are some great examples of innovative work. An example of this is the recently launched GMP iPhone app which uses geo­location to allow people to find out more about what is going on in their area.

It was downloaded almost 4,000 times during the first 48 hours which shows people really want to get involved in policing.

This is why we have to keep ensuring we respond to the

challenges and make the necessary changes to be fit for the future.

Sir Peter Fahy Chief Constable

Police and Crime Plan

At the end of January, I visited all 10 Greater Manchester districts to unveil my draft Police and Crime Plan and to invite local people to help shape the future of policing across the region.

This plan sets out the key priorities for Greater Manchester Police for the next four years.

My job as Police and Crime Commissioner is to be a strong and effective voice for everyone in Greater Manchester and these

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Brief Spring 2013 Edition

objectives haven’t come from nowhere. I’ve been listening to local people and finding out how they want policing to work in Greater Manchester. These views shape how I think we can deliver the best possible police service.

This isn’t just my plan – this is our plan and just as I want to hear the views of local communities, I also want to know what police officers and staff across GMP think about the priorities, because it’s you who will effectively deliver them.

You have all done a great job in driving down crime and I would like to thank you all for your continued commitment to making our streets safer.

I know the job of fighting crime is becoming more and more

challenging and I will continue to stand up for you and our communities against the reckless cuts imposed by Government.

One of my priorities is to protect our policing service, which is not just about challenging Government, but also recognising the pressures you all face on a daily basis to keep the people of Greater Manchester safe.

It’s because of these cuts that I’ve been given no choice but to ask local people for an additional, small contribution to their council tax, which I promise to use to help maintain a visible police presence in our neighbourhoods.

That money will be spent on recruiting more than 200 officers and staff in the coming year.

Tony Lloyd, Police and Crime Commissioner

Regulars

Letter from the editor Brief always aims to share important information that affects everyone across the Force as well as the many wonderful stories about the work of our officers and staff across GMP. This issue is no exception, we take a look at the new GMP iPhone app which is proving to be a huge hit with the public. As Brief was published, the main GMP Twitter account @gmpolice has more than 120,000 followers, thousands more are also following their local neighbourhood team's Twitter accounts. This shows that the emergence of online and social media continues to grow as an important means of engagement with the public. You can read more about the new GMP app on page 4.

With cybercrime becoming an increasing problem for the Force, Det Con Jim Lyon from the Major Fraud Team tells Brief about an operation that helped stop thousands of people from becoming victims of on­line credit card fraud, you can read his story on page 17.

In preparation for the decommissioning of Chester House, a ceremony took place to remove plaques which commemorated GMP officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty. We remember all those who lost their lives on pages 30­31.

Finally, as we get ready for the next edition, the editorial team would love to hear from you about the great work taking place across the Force.

Regulars 2

Chief Constable’s Column

2

PCC’s Column

6-7

Divisional Roundup

Features 4-5

GMP’s new iPhone app

8-9

Burglary toolkit

10

Button burglar / Pay slips

11

Lantern of hope for Chinatown

12-13 Economic Crime Unit 14

Not Belgian waffle

15

Supporting women in GMP

16

Social media to the rescue

17

Cyber crime

18

Excellence Awards

19

The impact of PMIT2

20

Diary of events

21

Operation Marine

22

Developing key leadership skills

23

Stop hate crime

24

Video Box goes live

GMP Community 25-27 Charities & Obituaries

Patricia Jones, Editor

Guest contributors Detective Chief Inspector Dave Pester Dave is a Detective Chief Inspector for the South Manchester Division. He has 20 years service with GMP and previously served at Longsight on the South Manchester Division and Stockport Division.

Kevin Hoy Kevin is the Web Manager in Corporate Communications Branch. He has more than 10 years’ experience working with the web and social media.

Steve Butterworth Steve is the Head of Learning Services responsible for delivering alternative methods of learning. He has worked for GMP for 10 years, mainly in the area of critical incident training.

If you’ve got a great idea for a future issue, please get in touch by emailing the Brief team – brief@gmp.police.uk

28-29 Lest we forget 30-31 Letters of Appreciation 32-33 Advertisements 34

Creating chances

Sports & Social 35

Sporting glory

Be published in Brief Editoral team: Catherine Barlow, Kevin Hoy, Krystyna Rudzki and Patricia Jones Photographers: Chris Oldham and Bill Morris 0161 856 2777 | Picture Desk: Lisa Marks 0161 856 2279 Designed and produced by: Corporate Communications, Force Headquarters, Central Park, M40 5BP Contact numbers: 0161 856 856 5939 / 2238 / 5938

Articles and contributions for the next edition of Brief should be submitted by

29 March 2013 Brief Spring 2013 Edition

3

Features

Flying start for GMP’s iPhone app

DCC Ian Hopkins at the GMP iPhone app launch

GMP’s new iPhone app has soared off to a flying start, with more than 8,000 downloads in the first month.

The app uses the latest geo­ location technology and presents information to the public based on where they are in Greater

Manchester. This could be details of who their local policing team is, where the nearest police station is or even if there is an appeal about a wanted person in the local area.

Deputy Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said: “This is a real step forwards in using technology to support policing and gives people

the chance to help us at any time and any place. They can find out what is happening where they are and be kept informed.

“It provides an enhanced service and we will be working on further developments. We want people to help us add to it with what will help them on a daily basis.”

The public have welcomed the development of the app, and have been posting their feedback on Twitter and Facebook. Reviews on Apple’s App Store have described it as “superb, accurate quick and detailed” and “very welcome”.

The app was designed and developed by Dave Baxter, Web Developer from the Corporate Communications Branch, at no additional cost to the Force. Dave said: “Developing the app in­house has given us the flexibility to design it to meet the needs of the Force.

We have been able to create an app that delivers a service that is relevant to the public of Greater

A step-by-step guide to what’s

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The app home screen gives

Find your nearest police station

Use the map to navigate to the

access to all services

based on your location

nearest station

Brief Spring 2013 Edition

Features Manchester and can directly assist operational policing.”

The Corporate Communications Branch worked closely with the Force Intelligence Branch (FIB) throughout its development to explore ways in which it can assist investigations.

The public can now provide vital information about ongoing investigations by completing an easy­to­use form, which is sent directly to FIB from the app.

Detective Superintendent Mark Smith from FIB said: “We rely on the information that we get from people to help us to solve crimes.

The app is a great addition that means people can send details no matter where they are, and help us to target criminals.”

The app is currently available for iPhone and can be downloaded from the App Store: http:// appstore.com/gmpolice

“Superb, accurate, quick and detailed”

The public have been letting us know on the App Store, Facebook and Twitter what they think of the app. Here are some highlights of the reviews we have received so far: This a very welcome app. Well thought out and very informative.

JemTheWire Superb App, accurate, quick and detailed. Well worth downloading.

Thanks GMP, well done.

Dave Mylett I think this kind of app is what we all need, I hope all police forces round the country can build an app like this… Good luck Manchester! Let’s hope you guys can help make your place safer and a nicer place to be!

M0nk3ym4n2011 Good app, well worth a download. Well designed—well done.

Nozzer1191 A good app, local news all in one place, very easy to navigate round the app. Good idea.

—Batman— We’ve not forgotten about Android!

An Android version of the GMP app is currently in development and will be available to download in Spring 2013. An Android version is also planned for the Museum.

available on the iPhone app

Find the nearest policing team

See what’s happening

Read the latest news and appeals,

to your location

around you

and assist investigations

Brief Spring 2013 Edition

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Regulars ter North Manches

Inspector Damian O'Reilly, nd better known as ‘Mr Gorton’ a th bo uld Go net police volunteer Ja

ear w Y receiv ed an MBE in the Ne Honours list.

Damien’s pride, passion and e infectious commitment to th

rea e a Gorton and Levenshulm and has seen partnerships forged , local residents com e together improv ing the quality of life for all.

Police volunteer Janet Gould will have giv en 20 years serv ice ich to GMP this year, during wh

tim e she has acted as a link f ty o between the comm uni d the Hattersley and Tam eside, an police. ter South Manches

ers MORE than 100 GMP offic in took part in a day of action

South Manchester as part of a

nst clampdown on crim e agai students.

Operation Storm inv olv ed the NPR tactical aid unit, traffic and A ch as su ers teams as well as partn er Manchester city Council, H stoms Cu and Majesty’s Revenue ators (HMRC), Vehicle and Oper d the Service Agency (VOSA) an d Department f or W ork an VLA. Pensions (DWP) and the D A quantity of cannabis was

found at one address and one of ion pic sus man was arrested on burglary.

During the day of action the area was made a hostile nd env ironment f or criminals a to do students were encouraged saf e. their bit to make their hom es

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Brief Spring 2013 Edition

Stockport

PC Sam Robinson was among a number of recipients who was awarded a medal and certificate

for his outstanding work and bravery.

He was awarded a Royal Humane Society Testimonial on Parchment and a Chief Constable’s High Commendation for saving the life of a man trapped in a car that was on fire.

Bunting. He kindly ag reed to provide a regular su pply of logs to the couple so they ne ver run short again.

Oldham

OLDHAM’S Orga nis ed Crim e Unit arrested six peop le following a drugs operation la st month.

They were arrested on suspicion of possession of can nabis with intent to supply, on su spicion of possession of can na bis and on suspicion of theft.

An 18 ­year­old m an w as cautioned for possess ion of cannabis.

Airport

THE Airport’s Neighbourhood Policing Team has donated the gift of warmth to an elderly couple.

Officers were on a routine patrol during the big freeze and visited Hale Barn’s residents David and Iris Mayer. They noticed that the

couple were nearing the end of their firewood supply and contacted Manchester Airport’s Landscape Manager, Hugh

Oldham ’s Operation Caminada, a m ulti­a gency clampdown on or ganis ed crim e and criminals, has in i ts first yea r resulted in the seizure of ov er £6.3 million in cash, drugs and assets. Drug s with a street v alue of £5.7 million, includ ing several kilos of pure heroin, m ore than £553,000 in cash and assets worth £101,000 hav e b een confiscated.

Numerous weapons including firearm s were also re covered and 26 vehicles were seize d. Twelv e organised crim e grou ps have been identified and m ore than 200 people have been ar rested.

Regulars

Around GMP

Spotlight on Tameside YOUNGSTERS from Droylsden have developed three short films to spread the word on personal safety and mobile phone theft. PRIME youth club, Council Services and GMP teamed up to keep young people safe following an increase in theft. The films were developed for schools, YouTube and Facebook called ‘22 Seconds, Child’s Play and Stick Together’. Those involved in the project have also been helping the police by visiting crime hotspots and suggesting what improvements could be made.

Catching wanted offenders MORE crimes are being detected thanks to the success of GMP’s Digital Imaging Database (DID).

As a result of officers and staff seizing evidential images then processing and circulating them on the database, more than 2,700 offenders have been named.

The database is the first of its kind in the UK with regard to evidential images, the identification of offenders and offending patterns.

Salford Division is using the DID very successfully, currently they have a detection rate of 90 per cent.

Det Sgt Roger Smethurst from the Salford Robbery Unit said: "The DID has enabled our division to increase the number of detections.

It has helped us detect crimes that would not have been possible previously. In particular it has provided us with evidence even if a criminal travels across the Force.”

Constable Elaine Monaghan who is the driving force behind the DID said: “GMP differs from all other forces in the UK as we are the only one that has linked our recognised images and visual evidence processing audit trail into OPUS.

This has helped officers when tasked with actions on crimes and is available on OPUS –VFE Tab. “Crime Desk staff are notified of a DID recognition via the OPUS Crime summary and all supervisors can view crimes with named offenders on the divisional home page.

“The Force Intelligence System is also notified, which helps Intelligence Officers and Public Protection Unit staff to link crimes relating to cross border and cross Force offending.”

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Features

Toolkit designed to reduce dom Supporting victims of domestic burglaries and preventing repeat victimisation.

A new toolkit has been produced to provide practical support to victims of domestic burglary.

The kit will identify ways divisions can solve problems in hotspot areas and target prolific offenders.

One of the crime prevention techniques from the toolkit is ‘cocooning’ which is aimed at protecting vulnerable people or properties. Coupled with a number of police operations and working with the Local Authority, ‘cocooning’ has been one of Bolton Division’s most successful initiatives contributing to a 51 per cent reduction in domestic burglary since July last year.

Ch Supt Dave Hull said: "Over a number of months we saw that the number of domestic burglaries had risen. After reviewing our plans to combat the problem, we identified that one of the critical factors was the lack of

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Brief Spring 2013 Edition

consistency in the way we approached the problem. We had to ensure that the solution we put in place was sustainable.

“The refreshed model that was initially trialled has been a significant factor in reducing the likelihood of people becoming victims or areas being repeatedly targeted. This approach has been applied with genuine conviction and empathy by our staff.

“One of the things we had to learn to do better is how we inform and equip individuals and communities to prevent them from becoming victims of crime and maintaining that over a longer period of time."

Julie Woodhouse crime prevention specialist and lead for the project team said: “Various local ‘cocooning’ models had evolved on divisions over the years. We re­ visited the research on burglary reduction and have now developed consistent reduction and prevention material that can be used right across the Force.

“By combining early prevention advice with targeted patrolling and community problem solving, we hope to see further significant reductions across the Force.”

T/Insp Kevin Lister who is based in Farnworth added that the ‘cocooning’ process is part of daily business.

“Once we have identified residents through ‘Automatic Resource

Features

mestic burglary Location System’ mapping, we have been able to visit addresses and talk to them but delivering the same consistent messages on a face­to­ face basis.

“As a result we have also been able to gain vital intelligence and information from this process.”

A domestic burglary information pack which is part of the toolkit has already been issued to each division.

It will enable officers and crime scene investigators to signpost residents to the correct sources of advice when making security improvements and repairs.

Susan Walker Head of the Crime Prevention Team said: “The new burglary information pack helps us deliver an enhanced service to victims and improve the customer experience during what is an upsetting time.”

For more information visit the crime prevention pages on the Intranet site.

Helping you feel good at work VISITORS to Force Headquarters were given the chance to find out more about healthy living at an event organised by the Senior Women in Policing group (SWIP).

The well­being event was designed to provide a forum for health issues for officers and staff across the Force.

Det Ch Insp Jill Clarke said: “Our health is vital and we wanted to be able to provide a forum where officers and staff could come together to learn how to manage any health issues within their teams.

“For many people the only time they consider their own health is at a time when they are ill. Talking to experts and each other provided an opportunity to think about things that may help you have a healthier lifestyle and live longer”.

A number of experts from various fields spoke about the risks and symptoms of different illnesses, including male and

female cancer, heart issues and giving up smoking.

Experts were also on hand to provide head massages, beauty treatments, acupuncture and diet advice.

The dining area in the Atrium provided a great opportunity to meet up with colleagues, have lunch and also pick up some really interesting and useful information including alcohol awareness, BEAT (eating disorder) and the Force’s bike to work scheme.

Representatives from GMP’s internal support teams were also on hand to help including the GMP Police Federation, Benevolent Fund and Occupational Health Team.

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Features

Lantern of hope for Chinatown TWELVE men have been convicted after a large scale fight in Chinatown.

In June 2010, a fight broke out between two groups in the heart of Manchester’s Chinatown that resulted in six men being treated for stab wounds.

What started as argument between two groups of men turned into a full blown fight after just a few seconds. The melée spread onto George Street, with several men throwing punches and kicks at each other.

As the offenders started to spread out, taxis were hailed for six men who suffered stab wounds and they were taken to hospital. Three men were considered to be in a life threatening condition but survived their injuries and another man suffered serious facial injuries. He has been scarred for life.

As part of Operation Lantern, a number of arrests were made in the days that followed but it was still difficult to generate lines of enquiry.

Senior investigating officer, Detective Superintendent Jen Williams from the Major Incident Team (MIT), said the team were met with a reluctance to help by those they spoke to.

“Whatever was behind the fight, it was clear to us that neither side was

Supt Stuart Ellison and Neighbourhood Beat Manager Richard Grace in Chinatown. The team have worked hard to build ties with the community in Manchester’s Chinatown.

willing to speak to the police”, she said. “On top of that, very few witnesses came forward.

“This meant that while we had dedicated teams carrying out interviews, we had to quickly focus our attention on CCTV footage in the area. There was footage of the fight but we knew that this had to be carefully examined.”

Working alongside MIT were officers from the North Manchester Division after businesses and visitors to Chinatown were left shocked by the incident. A police pod was immediately put in place at the scene, patrols were stepped up and Mandarin speaking officers stepped in to reassure the tight­knit community.

Superintendent Stuart Ellison said: "We are proud to have one of the country’s most thriving Chinese communities in the heart of our city. Up until this incident, Chinatown was

Neighbourhood Beat Manager Richard Grace with members of the Chinatown community

a community that kept itself to itself, although we had built up relationships with key stakeholders.

"In June 2010 this cohesion was put in jeopardy when two groups of people thought they could play out their differences in the middle of the street.

"The community was not willing to tolerate this and neither were we.

Since this incident our ties have been strengthened, with additional high visibility policing in place and Neighbourhood Beat Managers organising what have been successful community surgeries across Chinatown.”

Over a period of months, detectives built up intelligence and were able to identify dozens of suspects from the pictures. After working hard to build a case with the Crown Prosecution Service, two trials took place at Manchester Crown Court. Eight of the 12 convicted were given custodial sentences, mainly for violent disorder.

HH Judge Andrew Blake praised the efforts of DS Simon Murphy and DC Graham Hughes from MIT and also the efforts of the Video Evidence Retrieval Analysis unit.

Brief Spring 2013 Edition 11

Features

Fighting fraud and collecting cash from criminals GMP’s Economic Crime Section (ECS) work to dismantle and disrupt organised crime groups and remove the maximum amount of criminal assets possible. Brief visited the team to find out more about their work.

ONE of the biggest challenges facing the team is encouraging officers to contact them during an investigation.

Det Ch Insp Rick Jackson, Head of the ECS said: “Staff are understandably daunted by issues like POCA, fraud and money laundering as it can be seen as too specialist without the appropriate training.

“Whilst this can be true of some complex investigations, often with the appropriate guidance officers

and staff find that many aspects of the financial world aren’t necessarily that difficult to pursue.

“When considering the main driver for acquisitive crime, the supply of drugs and serious violent crime, often it comes back to the basic desire for criminals to make money. Whilst a stint in prison is inconvenient, the thing that really hurts is taking their cash, houses and cars from them.

“With a team of dedicated officers and staff, we will identify and prosecute anyone who commits fraud, whether they have targeted vulnerable people, are involved in linked series offending or

where they pose a threat to the people of Manchester.

“Feedback from the public is clear. They want to see the criminals locked up, but they also want to see the criminal’s family members dealt with who have been living the highlife on the back of other people’s misery.”

£6,750 seized from criminals under PoCA was given to the Valley Community Centre in Swinton

Fraud Investigation Unit—Det Insp Tony Heslop & Det Sgt Ian Paterson

Volume Fraud Team (Det Sgt Darren Crook, Det Sgt Neal Colburn) ¨

¨

Centralised team (investigation time reduced from 112 day to 20 days as a result of centralisation) Investigate all volume fraud crimes screened in by the Economic Crime Desk

¨

Receives between 3,500 to 4,500 reports per year

¨

More than 700 allegations of fraud investigated in the last 12 months

¨

Contact: Extension 66531

Economic Crime Desk ¨

Assesses and evaluates all fraud crime

¨

Allocates a fraud offence to either the Volume team, Major Fraud team for further investigation or filed

¨

Work closely with partner agencies including Action Fraud, National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, HMRC, Banking and Insurance industries and SOCA on crime prevention enforcement and disruption initiatives

¨

Contact: Extension 66557

Major Fraud Team (Det Sgt Craig Trow) ¨

Responsible for serious fraud investigations where there is an element of specialist legal or financial knowledge, public sector corruption, significant public interest due to the offender or victim

¨

All investigations are subject to an assessment process

¨

Contact: Extension 66563

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Brief Spring 2013 Edition

Features Payback Unit—Det Insp Glen Jones & Graeme Wallis

Cash Investigation Team (Det Sgt Hayden Roberts)

Forensic Accountancy Unit (Forensic Accountant Alan Mort)

·

·

Responsible for progressing cash seizures under POCA with the intention of disrupting criminality by removing criminal’s access to cash

·

Under ARIS half the forfeited cash comes back to GMP for distribution across the Force and funds posts within the ECS

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Currently progressing more than 200 cash seizures worth an estimated £4.75 million

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Successfully applied to the courts for cash in excess of £1.5 million

Team is made up of a number of qualified accountants who provide support in complex investigations involving finance

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Undertake financial investigations to support of a number of different types of fraud and money laundering jobs on behalf of the ECS, Drugs Unit and Serious & Organised Crime Group

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Provides support to other GMP branches and divisions

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Contact: Extension 66544

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Provide advice regarding all aspects of cash seizures

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Contact: Extension 66458

Money laundering Team (Det Sgt Tom Willis)

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Responsible for investigating, disrupting and dismantling Organised Crime Groups across Greater Manchester under POCA

Financial Investigation Team (Adrian Ladkin)

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Progresses confiscations under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA) aiming to disrupt criminality by removing the ill­ gotten gains of criminals

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Work closely with other departments, partner agencies and colleagues from all forces across the UK

Responsible for level two and three confiscations as well as assisting divisional financial investigators with level one confiscations

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Support cash seizure team when required

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·

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Provide advice on all aspects of money laundering

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Contact: Extension 66542.

Provide advice regarding money laundering and all aspects of confiscation Supports the cash seizure team

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Successfully applied to courts for confiscations amounting to more than £1.1m during the current financial year

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Contact: Extension 66544

Payback Support Desk

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Acts as a central contact point for all financial investigators

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Receive and record referrals for confiscation and cash seizure/forfeiture and undertakes research before cases are allocated to a financial investigator

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Contact: Extension 60075

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Any referral should be e­mailed to payback.supportdesk@gmp.pnn.police.uk

Brief Spring 2013 Edition 13

Features

New audience for GMP Museum A whole new audience is exploring GMP’s Museum and Archive thanks to the new audio tour iPhone app launched last year.

Featuring the voice of Emmerdale and Coronation Street actor Chris Bisson, the app gives visitors a guided tour of the rooms and exhibits.

The app has a five star rating on Apple’s App Store and has been downloaded more than 600 times.

The app was developed free of charge by Sam Shupac (pictured, right) a freelance web and mobile designer. It is part of a range of developments to support the museum.

In addition to an Android version of the app an online shop will soon be available.

Not Belgian waffle

By Amanda Coleman THE Japan earthquake, fires in Antwerp and disorder in Greater Manchester were among the subjects discussed at a European project on using technology for disaster response.

Disaster 2.0 is a European Union funded two­year project aiming to find web and social media solutions to assist when managing a crisis.

GMP was invited to Brussels to present details of the positive work to use social media as part of the communication around critical incidents.

Modern technology allows emergency responders to gather data as well as provide information direct to the public. There are many academics and emergency services staff across Europe who are all

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Brief Spring 2013 Edition

Left to right— Sam Shupac, Duncan Broady and Chris Bisson at the launch of the app.

The app can be downloaded from the App Store at http://appstore.com/gmpmuseum

working on the same thing, finding ways to make the most of what is available.

GMP was invited to attend the two day masterclass because it is seen to be leading the way in the use of social media. The disorder in Manchester and Salford in 2011 is a case study of how social networks can help as well as hinder policing operations.

Attendees were keen to understand how GMP uses social media to build trust and confidence, and how officers are using it on a daily basis to support neighbourhood policing.

Despite people coming from across Europe there were similar issues that people were facing in managing the amount of information that was now available, identifying what matters, and encouraging other staff to make use of social media. It was an honour to be able to represent GMP in Europe and has identified even more ways that GMP can use social media, web and technology to help make Greater Manchester safer.

Spotlight on Social Media GMP’s use of social media once again came under the spotlight when the Force was asked to contribute to an international conference in Lille, France.

The International Forum on Cyber Security aims to open up debate around cyber security and information technologies.

Kevin Hoy, Web Manager in Corporate Communications Branch, spoke at the conference about the role social media played in Greater Manchester during the disorder of August 2011.

He said, “It’s a real honour for GMP that the work we do, and in particular how we managed our response to the disorder on social media, to be recognised on an international stage.

“That other forces and organisations across Europe feel they can learn and benefit from our experience is a real validation of the knowledge and expertise we have in the Force.”

Features

Supporting women in GMP AN event to mark the launch of GMP's newest support network ­ The Association for Women in Policing (AWP) was attended by officers and staff from across the Force.

Replacing the Women's Issues Network, membership is open to all women who work for Greater Manchester Police, whether paid or on a voluntary basis. Membership is also open to men who are experiencing issues that have traditionally affected women.

Those attending the event heard a variety of presentations from expert speakers covering a range of subjects. They included an input on wellbeing by GMP's Dr Boag, ways to keep relationships healthy and an interactive session about early years parenting.

AWP Chair Sophie Nolan from Trafford Division said: "It was a really enjoyable and informative day. The inputs from our speakers such as Jayne Monkhouse who gave her views on the importance of women in the police and Professor Mary

Nolan who spoke about early years parenting were very well received.

"We plan to build on this and plan to hold further events throughout the year.”

The association will provide a support network for women in all parts of GMP, strive to eliminate gender discrimination in the Force, work to develop a greater understanding of the issues that affect women's work/life balance such as child care, caring for relatives, part time and flexible working, maternity and paternity leave.

It will also provide support to women experiencing difficulties in the workplace and encourage

Officers and staff at the AWP launch event

personal development and career progression of women in GMP. AWP and are looking for representatives in all divisions and branches across the Force, representatives will act as a point of contact for staff to raise their concerns and highlight issues to the association.

If you are interested in becoming a representative please email: awp@gmp.police.uk

Focus on women for museum exhibition The Force Museum is to create an exhibition about the history of women in policing and spoke to a number of women at the Association for Women in Policing launch event Claire Mayle from the Museum said: “The event was a great opportunity to talk to a number of women about our project and to promote the museum service in general.

“Women's role in the history of policing should be documented and preserved for future generations and will be a valuable asset to the range of material we keep in the museum's archives.

"Public perception tends to view police actions at the time of the militant suffragettes as negative however we want to challenge this view and of course the stereotypes surrounding working women in the 50s and subsequent decades."

Brief Spring 2013 Edition 15

Features

Social media to the rescue

Sgt Martin Lally delivering the donated presents

SOCIAL media proved itself to be more than able to spread a plea for help that would result in a response no one expected.

A family who were away in York were told that not only had their house been burgled just a week before Christmas but it had also been set alight.

The residents, a mother with two young girls and a baby son were left with nothing.

Sergeant Martin Lally of Astley Bridge NPT suggested PCSO Kelly Jenkinson call Key103 to ask whether they could spare a few presents from their appeal for this

desperate family. He said: “Within minutes, Kelly was on air asking for help.

“The phones immediately began to ring with people offering to donate anything they could: clothes, furniture, toys, accessories and even money.”

However, it was the use of GMP Bolton East’s Facebook page and Twitter account that made the story take off. The team posted the story and countless requests to help were sent in.

People contacted the NPT via their social networks to ask where to take any donations.

Sgt Lally added: “If it wasn’t for social media, we wouldn’t have reached all these people.

“It wasn’t just the story that was posted, there were constant updates of what items were being received, who was becoming involved and what would happen to the gifts. In no time the office was filled with generous donations.

“The Bolton News even came to deliver the presents and reported the story.”

GMP goes toy crazy for Cash for Kids HUNDREDS of toys were donated to the Key 103 Christmas toy appeal thanks to GMP officers and staff.

Currently there are one in three children living in severe poverty in Manchester, the success of last year's appeal ensured that most of those underprivileged children woke up on Christmas morning with a Christmas present.

Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy visited the warehouse in Trafford Park just before Christmas where 16

Brief Spring 2013 Edition

CC Sir Peter Fahy with some of the donated toys

thousands of toys were being stored by the charity.

"The response to the appeal by

GMP staff and the public has been truly overwhelming," he said.

"I'd like to thank everyone who donated a gift to this fantastic cause ­ I'm sure they made a difference to underprivileged children in Greater Manchester. It's very sad to think that any child should wake up on Christmas morning without a gift but hopefully we can make sure that this is no longer the case."

Features

By Det Con Jim Lyons from the Major Fraud Unit THE Major Fraud Unit has helped stop thousands of people from becoming victims of cyber crime.

Several years ago the FBI contacted the Major Fraud Unit about an unknown individual who was trying to defraud the banking industry.

He was attempting to set up deals to trade compromised credit card details and teach newer members of the site to commit fraud.

In late 2008 after a lengthy intelligence­led investigation, a website known as ‘Darkmarket’ was stopped and four brothers were arrested in Rochdale.

During the investigation we found more than 15,000 compromised credit card details with a potential fraudulent spend in the region of £8,500,000, direct links to £30,216 worth of fraudulent "top­ups" of O2 SIM cards and £32,257 worth of fraudulent "UKash" was found on their computers ­ a form of ‘virtual

currency’.

The brothers had also fraudulently spent more than £496,000 with £13,700 of fraudulent on­line orders placed for goods and services.

It was clear from the seized computer equipment, CDs, USB memory sticks, SIM cards and mobile handsets that the four brothers had been using the contacts they made to commit fraud on an industrial scale.

In December last year the four brothers, all from Kingsway, Rochdale, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud at Manchester Crown Court, Crown Square.

Adnan Nawaz was jailed for four years nine months, Gibran Nawaz was jailed for 30 months, Imran Nawaz was jailed for 16 months and Ferkhan Nawaz received 16 months suspended for two years and 150 hours unpaid work.

Cyber crime costs the UK economy around £27 billion a year.

The investigation isn’t over yet though as we will now deal with the important issue of confiscating the criminal proceeds from the defendants.

However, this investigation does send a clear message to criminal fraudsters that the authorities will pursue and track them down. There is no escape.

Paul Ward an Intelligence Manager for SOCA commented: “This case represents the culmination of the UK end of a major FBI led investigation into the most prolific English language criminal forum identified on the internet at that time.

“These convictions are an excellent example of the value of a local to global response to cybercrime and demonstrate that by working closely with national and international partners we are better able to tackle offenders on our own doorstep."

Brief Spring 2013 Edition 17

Features

Countdown to the Chief Constable’s Excellence Awards 2012

New Categories:

Police Officer of the Year - open to all police officers, regardless of role or rank

Volunteer of the Year - open to all Special Constabulary officers and police support volunteers

Lifetime Achievement - open to all officers, staff and volunteers in GMP

Returning Categories:

Police Staff Employee of the Year - open to all police staff in GMP

Outstanding Team Performance - open to all officers, staff and volunteers including any external partners if appropriate

Outstanding Leadership - open to all officers, staff and

NOMINATIONS for the Chief Constable’s Excellence Awards 2012 must be submitted to the Awards Team no later than Monday 4 March.

All officers, members of staff and volunteers are welcome to submit a nomination for any of the categories.

Three finalists and their nominators for each category will be invited to

attend the fully sponsored ceremony on Friday 7 June at Manchester Town Hall.

It is important that this excellence is recognised and celebrated.

If anyone wishes to submit a nomination and needs advice, please do not hesitate to contact Sarah Wilcox­Standring. Ext 62533 Email awards­team@gmp.police.uk

volunteers in GMP

Partnership Working - open to all officers, staff and volunteers in GMP including any external partners if appropriate

Bravery Award - open to all officers, staff and volunteers in GMP

Former winners: Where are they now?

In 2006, Chief Inspector Steve McFarlane was a Neighbourhood Policing Inspector on the North Manchester Division, working with his community safety manager, Karen Hopes and the Manchester City Authority Neighbourhood lead, Paul Cullen, on a bespoke multi agency operation aimed at addressing antisocial behaviour in the Miles Platting area of

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Manchester. Aligning youth provision to meet demand was at the centre of the work and was a huge success.

The tactics were further developed into what we now know as the Respect agenda.

Steve, Paul and Karen were nominated for the first ever Chief Constables Excellence Awards that took place in 2007 for Outstanding Partnership working which they won.

Since receiving the award, Steve has been a great supporter of the awards and has gone onto nominate a further two winners and three other finalists shortlisted for the awards.

Steve himself is currently a Chief Inspector over at Tameside responsible for Neighbourhoods. He is looking forward to the next chapter of policing that the new policing model will bring.

Features model brings strengths in a number of situations and there has been gives his account of the impact of PMIT2 success. To have the variety of disciplines at hand in INPTs enables us to deal with harm, opportunity and threat (HOT) crimes and intelligence very quickly and effectively.

Detective Chief Inspector Dave Pester

Policing: but not as we know it

I arrived on the new South Manchester Division in June last year – the day before the second phase of the Policing Model or PMIT 2 went live on the division.

Having worked for the Serious Crime Division for three years, I considered that I would be slightly out of touch with divisional issues. I tried to compensate by reading all I could on PMIT2 and talking to anyone involved in the process that had the time to speak to me.

Nothing however, could have prepared me for the scale of the changes and the physical upheaval on the old Metropolitan and South Manchester Divisions.

I had wanted to hit the ground running and concentrate on maintaining performance, but the reality was very different.

What was immediately clear was that a huge amount of planning had taken place over a short period of time and yet in spite of this, the first few weeks were about lockers, desks, vehicles, briefings, roles and responsibilities, formatting meetings

and still delivering a service to a very busy and challenging division.

South Manchester didn’t slow down for us unfortunately, and the first critical incident­ a suspicious death in Birchfields Park came in on day one ­ severely testing resilience.

As the dust began to settle, what really stood out to me was the impact of the Policing Model on detectives, and the perceptions across the Force of what it now means to be a detective in GMP. Detectives work alongside neighbourhood police officers, beat officers and PCSOs. The spread of the numbers is different as well, with each of the 16 teams on division sharing the detectives.

It feels very different, and whilst some officers have embraced the changes, others have decided to apply for specialist posts within the Force.

This has seen an erosion of experience which has impacted on morale and performance.

We also know that we are far better at dealing with missing persons because of the combined skill sets in each team.

It is more difficult, however, to maintain longer term investigations that need to be handed over to a number of teams throughout the week.

These are the types of jobs that would have sat within the Volume Crime Team, or CID, and we are still developing new ways of providing the continuity and cohesion of investigations that brought about so much success for the Force.

We recognise that the reduction in staffing numbers across the Force will prevent a return to the days of the CID. and VCT as we knew it, but we are constantly looking at refining how we work to make best use of the resources available.

There have been some brilliant ideas from the teams and as an SLT we continue to listen and respond to the South Manchester officers and police staff who have worked so hard during a period of unprecedented change.

I am pleased though that the new

YOUNG people from Irlam Primary School joined police to tackle vehicle crime in their area.

The group of Junior PCSOs issued crime prevention leaflets to vehicle windscreens to alert motorists on the importance of securing their vehicles and removing valuables from their cars.

PCSO Mark Fitzgerald from the Salford South Neighbourhood Policing Team said: “Pupils at the school wanted to help police in making motorists aware of crime in their area.

By getting the Junior PCSOs involved they can have a positive impact on their community and help police make their area a safer place to live.

“Working with the youngsters has been fantastic. As well as educating them about crime prevention, we are finding out what their concerns are and inspiring them to care about their community.”

April

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Features flexibility, will enable members to manage their own accounts on­line to change the amounts paid out of the scheme based on the times of year and they will also be able to pay more than one childcare provider.

Staff currently registered with the GMP scheme will have received an email notification of the changes and a link to the Fideliti website where they should have already registered on­line.

For staff currently registered who

Changes to childcare vouchers THE Force’s childcare voucher scheme will be provided by Fideliti from 1 March.

Previously managed in­house, the changes will give members more

Managing our

A new power management system has been introduced across the Force helping to reduce CO2 emissions and energy consumption.

The ‘green’ project is estimated to save about £70,000 a year simply by introducing software that powers down computers that are not being used after a pre­determined period.

The system will enable us to manage our power consumption more effectively, and after testing 50

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Features

Developing key leadership skills OFFICERS and staff will be given the opportunity to develop key leadership skills.

Following the success of the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) session held at Sedgley Park last September, the Organisational Learning and Workforce Development Branch are planning to hold further development seminars for all officers and staff.

The initial development session was led by Major Russell Lewis of the Parachute Regiment and he spoke about the leadership challenges he faced both on and off the battlefield. Insp Daniel Inglis from the Change Branch attended this session. He said: “I thought that there were some powerful messages and I took away some really useful lessons.

“One important point was that when people are looking around not sure what to do that is when they are looking around for a leader.

So demonstrate it and lead.”

With three ‘sell out’ sessions, one of the key issues fed back from attendees was around timing. Some felt that it would be useful having access to these type of sessions out of office hours in the future.

Ch Insp Tony Hughes who has overall responsibility of the

STARS from the TV hit programme ‘Scott and Bailey’ spent the day at Force Headquarters last month where they were filming scenes for the latest series. They shot three scenes in the Force’s media suite and at North Manchester Division’s Headquarters at Central Park.

Pictured are Deputy Chief Constable Ian Hopkins, Gabrielle Reidy who plays ACC Karen Zalinski and Pippa Heywood who plays Detective Chief Inspector Julie Dodson.

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Brief Spring 2013 Edition

Detective Chief Inspector Tony Hughes (right) with Major Russell Lewis (left)

development said: “We are now working on how to accommodate this in future sessions. The CPD sessions will seek to develop the leadership skills that will benefit all members of the workforce.

“The branch will look to provide officers and staff with softer leadership skills such as emotional

intelligence, psychology of change and motivational theories.

“We will also aim to provide an insight and awareness into why people react in a certain way whilst also providing skills for negotiating and influencing during such times.”

The seminars will be advertised on the Force Intranet.

Features

Helping to stop hate crime A number of events have been held across the borough in a drive to reduce hate crime.

During the awareness week officers visited schools, community centres, ran crime surgeries and criminal justice days to create discussion around hate crime and the affect it can have on people’s lives.

Assistant Chief Constable Garry Shewan said: "Hate crime is something that can ruin the lives of many, it could be happening right under our noses where those closest to us could be living in fear and not even know that they are a victim of crime and that help is available to them.

"This awareness week was about showing the people of Greater Manchester that we are working

ACC Garry Shewan at the launch

Supt Neil Bhole talks to members of the community about the criminal justice system

together with our local partners to put a stop to hate crime but also to open people's eyes to the problem and ask them to challenge it, speak up and encourage victims to report it.

"Every individual has a right to feel safe and secure in their surroundings, free from hostility and harassment. If this isn't the case than it needs to stop and we won't tolerate it. If it's happening to you, speak to someone and get the help you need so we can bring offenders to justice."

Handling complaints DEALING with complaints against officers and staff has changed as a result of the Police and Social Responsibility Act. In November last year the Force introduced significant changes to the way complaints are investigated and resolved and to the appeals process.

There is also a greater expectation for managers to use the Unsatisfactory Performance Procedures (UPP) for staff who are not meeting performance

Since the awareness week officers have been working with their partners to raise awareness of hate crimes and neighbourhood teams will continue talking to communities so that they work together to stop it and ensure offenders are dealt with robustly.

A hate crime is deemed to be an act motivated by hostility or prejudice towards that person.

This could be discrimination aimed at a person because of disability, race, age, gender, religion or sexual orientation.

by Sgt Steve Neale

expectations as an alternative to the discipline/misconduct route.

The intention of the changes is to streamline and remove unnecessary bureaucracy, ensuring that complaints are handled at the lowest appropriate level. The focus is on service recovery, customer satisfaction and appropriate and proportionate outcomes.

The revised legislation means that the majority of complaints can be handled locally. In addition complaints on policy matters that

were previously unrecorded now have to be recorded.

In most cases conduct matters will be subject to local resolution and will be dealt with by local managers.

The Professional Standards Branch will continue to investigate more serious allegations.

All leaders will be expected to manage and utilise the UPP process, and the HR Branch is also working to ensure support is available to managers through each stage of the process.

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Features

Video Box goes live

By Steve Butterworth Head of Learning Services WOULDN’T it be great if we had a “YouTube for policing” somewhere you could just search for that bit of advice from an expert, that little thing you can't do or remember. Well now GMP has just that following the launch of Video Box. The idea was considered a year ago during a series of consultation sessions with response officers and there was an overwhelmingly positive response for such a system.

Since then the Organisational Learning and Workforce Development Branch and Information Systems Branch worked to develop a web based system to deliver video on demand ­ Video Box. Video Box is accessed via the Intranet and stores useful short videos that officers and staff can to view to help do their jobs more effectively. A search feature returns relevant and related videos that maybe of interest, along with the highest rated by colleagues and new releases.

Videos on topics such as officer safety, vehicle inspections, public order appeals process and opus searches, are all available.

You will also find a copy of the recent Vinnie Jones and British Heart Foundation Hands Only CPR 'Staying Alive' video provided by the British Heart Foundation.

There is even a feature to allow users to request videos or even submit their own.

Rather than push videos out to people, this new system is built on the principle of allowing users to 'pull down' and choose their own learning, allowing them to rate the video and provided supporting comments for other colleagues.

Over the next few months there are plans to increase the content, add enhanced predictive searching and provide references and document links to other areas of information.

The Learning Services Team have worked really hard to deliver

this platform from a customer perspective, and we truly hope that people find this a useful tool to make working easier.

We would love to hear what people think, so the more comments, suggestions and feedback we get the better. Whilst we have kept a real operational focus on content there are also videos for non operational colleagues and more will be added in future.

We want Video Box to be driven and created by GMP staff therefore, we need all staff to feedback and suggest ideas for new videos, maybe even provide them to us.

To access Video Box, you can click on the following link, use the Film Reel icon at the bottom of the Intranet home page or access via the Systems Portal.

REPRESENTATIVES from employee support networks across the Force came together to ensure that minority issues are given a voice.

The networks have a common cause in challenging under­representation and tacking discrimination. They also make an important contribution to performance against equality, diversity and community objectives.

Assistant Chief Officer Lynne Potts said: “The Force is going through a massive period of change which is set to continue over the next few years. It is probably more important than ever before that we work with our networks and as one team as we tackle the challenges ahead. We are really fortunate to have such a diverse and well­led range of networks.”

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GMP Community

Charities Friends of No. 1 CopperPot Lottery Winners

£2,000 Andrew Potts, Leicestershire £1,000 Frederick Morgan, Metropolitan £500 Lynda Soudine, Metropolitan £250 Mark Bowden, Retired Christopher Thresh, Retired

Going the distance for Nicola and Fiona NINE officers from the Serious Crime Division will take part in this year's Manchester Marathon, in memory of our fallen colleagues Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone.

The officers will be running in aid of the charity COPS (Care of Police Survivors) ­ a charity which supports the families of officers who have lost their lives in the line of duty.

DS Martin Hopkinson, one of the officers taking part said: "The majority of us have never run a marathon

before, so training has been hard and everyone is committed."

The group includes: DC Benjamin Stewart, DI Christopher Mossop, DC Gary Mills, DS Deborah Hurst, DC John Plant, DC Darren Collins, DC Junior Dann, DS Martin Ashurst.

If you would like to support the team please visit their just giving page: http://www.justgiving.com/ gmpmarathonrunners

£150 Karen Ford, Relative Denise Travis, Retired £100 Eurwyn Jones, Retired John Barnett, Retired Laura Tyson, Cumbria Jacqueline Connell, GMP David Blood, GMP Stephen Moran, GMP Jason Taylor, Sussex £50 Kenneth Edwards, Relative Graham Nicholson, Humberside Philip Dunn, Retired Neil Wain, Retired Maurice Kime, Retired Wayne Collier, GMP Paul Unsworth, GMP Derek Hornby, Retired Michael Willson, Retired Donovan Heathcote, Narpo Helen Wild, GMP Bernard Gill, Retired Margaret O’Connell, Retired Michael Rice, Retired Carole Yeomans, Relative

Charity evening in memory of Ken Plumb Officers and staff from the North West Counter Terrorist Unit (NWCTU) have organised a benefit night in memory of their colleague Ken Plumb who sadly passed away on 4 January.

Before joining the NWCTU Ken had worked as an officer for Chesh­ ire Constabulary and GMP for 30 years. When he retired from GMP he worked for the UK Borders agency based at the NWCTU. The evening will take place on Friday 22 March at Stretford Ex­ Serviceman’s Club and will include entertainment from the CTU band

and Mid Life Crisis (a rock covers band), of which Ken was a founding member.

All money raised from the event will be donated to charities chosen my Ken's family, the Alzheimer's Society and the British Heart Foundation Doors will be open at 4pm with enter­ tainment starting around 7pm until late.

Tickets for the event are £2 and avail­ able from any of the following people: Det Sgt Mike Abbott, Det Con Stuart Smith, Det Con Andrzej Brylski (mbl 07917 233659), John Hughes, Steve O'Driscoll, Det Con Sarah Darlaston or Marie Snitynski.

Brief Spring 2013 Edition

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GMP Community

Charities Half marathon

A helping hand

around Wilmslow

Sgt Andy Brooks (secretary), PC Martin Aylett (Treasurer) and Inspector Mike Coombes (Chair) present a giant check to the House Manager Mike Fairley and Tony Morton RMHC Director.

KIND hearted members both past and present from Bootle Street Sports and Social Club members helped raise £1,000 for the Ronald McDonald Manchester House.

Bootle Street Social Club has supported the charity for a number of years. Members of the Social Club management team recently visited them to present them with the money they had raised from a recent event.

The Ronald McDonald

Manchester House opened in May last year and is funded and maintained totally by fund raising.

Sgt Andy Brooks said: “We are delighted to continue our long association with RMHC and be able to present this cheque to what we believe a very worthwhile cause.”

Mike Fairley House Manager said: “This is a wonderful gesture by our great friends at Bootle Street Sports & Social Club and very much appreciated.”

Theresa Scott from Tameside Operational Communications Room is running the Wilmslow half marathon on Sunday 24 March.

She is running to raise money in aid of the Cystic Fibrosis Holiday Fund.

Theresa said: “My best friend's little boy Finley who is one­year­old and has cystic fibrosis.

“A school friend and her sister also passed away in their early 20’s as a result of the disease.

“The cystic fibrosis holiday fund helps with the cost of travel and travel insurance for sufferers.

“Insurance to travel abroad can cost in the region of £1000.00 due to specialist care needed if the person is taken ill.”

For more information or to donate visit www.justgiving.com/Theresa­ Stott

Obituaries It is with great sadness that Brief announces the death of the following former officers: NOVEMBER Eric Gartside, 83, died 19 November John James Hibbert, 70, died 20 November Geoffrey Abbott, 68, died 27 November Donna Mary Scott, 84, died 28 November

DECEMBER

Arthur Wright, 94, died 10 December

John Pearson Coppin, 83, died 1 December

Thomas George Westbury, 43, died 10 December

Alfred Cleave, 84, died 2 December

Ian Ronald Pennington, 57, died 16 December

James Bryce Marriott, 87, died 5 December George MacDonald, 82, died 6 December Eric Brierley, 91, died 6 December John Henry Ashworth, 79, died 7 December Alfred Walker, 86, died 9 December

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George Aspinall Briggs, 87, died 23 December Brian William Shackleton, 77, died 26 December Leslie Hutty, 93, died 28 December Jack Leach, 76, died 27 December

GMP Community

Charities Fighting testicular cancer

European Tour

By Ian Prescott ON 16 September, I will be setting off to climb Kilimanjaro in Africa to raise money for testicular cancer. Why you might ask? The Mark Gorry Foundation is a charity very local to me, based in Widnes.

Mark was 23­years­old when he contracted testicular cancer and he set up the foundation to raise funds and awareness of cancer.

Unfortunately his cancer was incurable and he lost his fight for life in 2009.

I decided to help raise funds to continue the awareness work in schools and colleges and to raise money for The Christie to buy equipment to help testicular cancer sufferers.

Climbing Kilimanjaro will be a great challenge. It is one of the best I could find without breaking the bank and will push me to the max.

To help me get ready for the climb Sgt Sam Halligan from the Salford Division has been helping me.

He has a great deal of experience and through his own company,

‘Gorilla Mountaineering’ I will conquer the highest freestanding mountain in the world.

As well as the climb in September I am also taking part in an eight hour spin at my local fitness club and the ‘3 Peaks Challenge’ which involves climbing the highest mountains in Scotland, England and Wales in 24 hours.

I have also said I will have a full body wax if I reach £4,000 before the end of May, although my overall target is to raise £6,000.

If anybody is interested in helping me raise money please contact me by email or on extension 67679.

I have a secure donation site http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ IanPrescott for donations and sponsor forms.

Obituaries JANUARY

January

Keith Hart Brown, 77, died 2 January

John Michael Shaw, 76, died 21 January

Philip Cragg, 59, 3 January William Fletcher Greenhalgh, 73, died 3 January Charles George Small, 86, died 4 January Kenneth Leslie Plumb, 61, died 4 January Alexander Malcolm, 83, died 17 January

Matthew Thomas Hinchcliffe, 57, died 22 January Howard Colin Anderton, 59, died 24 January Edward Duncan Fraser, 60, died 26 January Irene Laura Bailey, 79, died 29 January

ROB Birkett from Corporate Communications is embarking on a true European Tour in aid of charity this summer.

Rob, who suffers from an incurable disease where his immune system attacks his body, is planning to travel across 10 countries in seven days with three close friends.

They have been planning the trip for months and don’t intend to fail.

Rob believes they can complete the 3,500 mile journey inside the seven day limit.

“We have very kindly been donated a car and plan to start in Ramsbottom before embarking on a long drive to Belgium to meet up with 100 other participants.

“We will then tour Europe taking in countries such as Hungary, Slovakia, Czech Republic and Italy before we finally meet up for a closing party in Amsterdam,” said Rob. Rob has suffered from severe Cronhs disease for seven years and has had numerous operations as a consequence. He believes such a radical challenge will raise the awareness of the disease which affects one in 1,000 people.

You can follow the exploits of Rob or donate to Crohns and Colitis UK via his website www.3500challenge.co.uk

James Higginson, 68, died 19 Brief Spring 2013 Edition

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GMP Community

Lest we forget

CC Sir Peter Fahy and PCC Tony Lloyd at the Chester House ceremony

PLAQUES commemorating police officers who have lost their lives in the line of day have been moved from Chester House to Sedgley Park.

Their removal is part of the decommissioning process for Chester House, which has served as the Force's headquarters for 33 years and is due to close soon.

Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy and Police and Crime Commissioner Tony Lloyd took part in an official ceremony that was also attended by families of the fallen officers.

Sir Peter said: “As we complete the move out of Chester House it is really important that we maintain the memory of fallen colleagues who gave their lives in public service.

“The response to the tragic deaths of Fiona and Nicola showed how locally people have great respect for the self­sacrifice of police officers and they will want to see the recognition maintained. Time moves on and the headlines fade, but the sudden loss of a loved one sadly remains constantly fresh for the family involved.”

Remembering PC Ian Rodgers GMP was less than a year into its existence when it lost its first officer in the line of duty.

PC Ian Rodgers died on 3 April 1975 aged 25 after being struck by a train in Brinnington, Stockport.

PC Rodgers had only been stationed at Bredbury and Woodley a few months and was working the late shift on 26 March 1975 when he was asked to investigate reports of children playing on the railway tracks in Brinnington.

While near the tracks, he spotted one approaching train’s klaxon alert but a second train, travelling on the other track, which sounded its klaxon at the same time struck PC Rodgers 28

Brief Spring 2013 Edition

from behind.

PC Rodgers’ widow, Pauline, was one of numerous family members who took part in a ceremony to remove the Memorial Wall at Chester House before the building is demolished.

Pauline said her husband had chosen GMP as ‘he thought there would be more opportunities’.

Pauline only dealt properly with Ian’s death 30 years after the event following counselling and a re­visit to the accident site.

“I wrote to the Chief Superintendent at Stockport,” Pauline said. “They took me to where it happened. It was lovely. It

Ian Rodgers pictured in 1971

GMP Community Tribute to PC

Tribute to PC

Andrew Bramma

Gareth Francis

COLLEAGUES from Rochdale B relief have paid tribute to former colleague PC Andrew Bramma, who was sadly killed whilst on duty in North Yorkshire.

Andrew had only left GMP to join North Yorkshire Constabulary in August 2012. He died after his patrol van hit a tree while he was responding to a 999 call on 5 January 2013. He leaves his wife, Kathryn and young two sons, Jack and Sam. Andrew spent his almost four years service with GMP in Rochdale on Response.

Andrew’s friends and former colleagues said: “Andrew was a great police officer and a loving family man.

“For anyone who knew him, Andrew was meticulous in everything he did, nothing would ever beat him and he would leave no stone unturned to find his answers.

Every job he dealt with was always done to A* standard.” helped a lot and I found where his ashes had been scattered. It was very beneficial to me and I think what the police do nowadays to help the newly bereaved families, it must help them. The more you talk about it, the easier it becomes.”

The Stockport Chief Superintendent at the time, Ch Supt Pugh said PC Rodgers was a likeable, lively and popular officer.

He was the sort of young man the Police Service needed and sad that his life should have ended on the eve of his best years. Ch Supt Pugh wrote in a letter, “it is typical of the man, that, when critically ill in hospital and only able to speak with difficulty, he mentioned the accident, and asked of his wife and children.”

COLLEAGUES have paid tribute to PC Gareth Francis, who was killed while off­duty after a night out with friends in the early hours of Sunday morning, 20 January.

Gareth was assaulted on Castle Street, Edgeley and despite the fact emergency services were quickly at the scene and first aid was given by paramedics, sadly Gareth died a short time later at Stepping Hill Hospital.

Gareth joined GMP in 2007 and was tutored in a neighbourhood team on the South Manchester Division.

He then moved to response and until recently was based at Wythenshawe as a response officer, before moving to West Didsbury Police Station.

Gareth’s supervisor for the last four years, Sergeant Alex Cairns described Gareth as, “the kind of officer who would quietly get on with his job with the minimum of supervision. If you needed something doing quietly and efficiently then he was your man. He

approached everything in work with an outstandingly positive attitude and all of his colleagues, without exception, felt a sense of relief when they knew Gareth would be attending a difficult or potentially dangerous incident with them.

“That was the esteem in which his fellow officers held him. He was always the consummate professional police officer.”

Roll of Honour GMP Officers and PCSOs who have been killed in the line of duty. · 1975: PC Ian Rodgers

· 1999: PC Robert Nathans

· 1976: PC Norman Salisbury

· 1999: PC Peter Fox

· 1977: PC John Cameron

· 1999: PC Raja Bashrat Ahmed

· 1978: PC George Main

· 2001: PC Alison Armitage

· 1980 PC Deborah Nicholson

· 2003: Det Con Stephen Oake

· 1981: PC Michael Entwistle

· 2006: PC Allan Shaw

· 1982: PC John Egerton

· 2007: PCSO Christopher Maclure

· 1982: Det Con John Sandford

· 2008: PC Christopher Hart

· 1986: Det Sgt Thomas McCarthy

· 2008: PC Ian Terry

· 1989: PC Nigel John Heap

· 2012: Det Con Andrew Stokes

· 1989: Insp Raymond Codling

· 2012: PC Fiona Bone

· 1996: Det Con Kevin Dearnaley

· 2012: PC Nicola Hughes

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GMP Community

Letters of Appreciation Send copies of letters or emails of thanks and appreciation to Brief, Corporate Communications, Force Headquarters, making sure that the recipient’s full name, not just number, is included. Letters may be edited for reasons of space.

Valu

Excellence in court

Sincere Gratitude

I wish to express my appreciation for the way PC Quinn conducted a prosecution file. It was evident that the case was expertly presented, and because of this the thugs got lengthy sentences for the vicious attack on me.

Officers and staff from the Bolton Division have been very helpful in what has been a most unpleasant and frightening assault.

William Glover

I have written this to covey our sincere gratitude to PC Belfield. The second assailant on my granddaughter was convicted at Stockport Magistrates.

PC Belfield’s advice, assistance and reassurances during what was a traumatic experience for the whole family proved to be invaluable. We feel he went above and beyond the call of duty and his professionalism at all times was a credit not only to himself, but to GMP as a whole.

HG and Family

Safely Home I would just like to say thank you to PC Toft for helping my elderly father, by getting him home safely.

He became confused when he got lost in Stockport for an extended period of time and could not find his car.

My father was a policeman and retired 20 years ago, I know he is very grateful for all the help PC Toft gave and he’s a credit to the force.

Relieved, his car is now home and I have been in touch with the doctor so he can a have check up. I can’t stress enough how grateful I am.

SM A Great Ambassador PCSO Ed Jackson visited my home address to conduct a small survey and I would like to say he was a pleasure to have in my house.

Not only was he courteous and professional but he took the time to listen carefully to the things I had to say and give his honest opinion and advice.

A great ambassador for police relations!

SL

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Brief Spring 2013 Edition

ed c ontr ib

utio n

I am the joint lea der of R which is oc Café a youth Reddis d rop in ce h letting y ntre. I a ou know m just ho w m u po sitiv e ch we v contribu alue the tion PC

the proje S O Salt m ct. akes to She is f riendly a nd helpfu all the m l and ge embers o ts on wit f our tea ab le ass h m. She i et to ou s a r v te a a lu­ m , and w un able t o be wit he n she h us, we is really d She is a o miss h ble t o bu er. ild go od the youn relation g people ships wit ; which a the polic h llow the e in a v e m to see ry positiv to ex pre e light. I ss that w just wa e v alue o with GM nt ur partn P v ery m e rship uch and continuin look f or g it. war d to RG

Superb Reassurance I recently became a licensee. On NYE two officers came to tell me they had received a phone call that somebody had made threats to damage the pub.

I was extremely worried but I am pleased to say nothing happened. I would however, like to thank PC Kinrade, PC Williams, PC Gotts and SC Simmons, as they provided a high visibility presence in the area all night and it was very reassuring.

PD Outstanding Conduct I am writing to praise the outstanding professionalism and conduct of DC Ellaby. I was violently attacked as the perpetrator hit me in the face with a wine glass causing

injuries resulting in 26 stitches and facial scarring.

Whilst investigating the offence DC Ellaby remained thorough and professional. He always communicated effectively and empathised with our situation. The attacker’s family subsequently threatened my girlfriend and me.

DC Ellaby provided support and reassurance at a time when we were extremely scared and anxious.

Overall his conduct is a credit to GMP and it contributes greatly to an improved confidence and respect within the community. I wish DC Ellaby all the best in his career.

TB and KM Fantastic PCSOs May I say many thanks and immense appreciation to PCSO

GMP Community Ratcliffe and PCSO Gough for the help and reassurance following the harrowing experience of two back to back burglaries.

I was very much impressed by the way they made me feel reassured and that I was being taken care of, and that meant an awful lot to me especially as I felt very unsafe having come face to face with the burglar on the second encounter.

The PCSOs were fantastic!

Angela B Neighbourhood teams I would like to thank you for the work your Neighbourhood Officers have carried out in conjunction with staff at H.M.P Manchester community team.

Together they ran workshops which have been informing pupils that their actions have consequences. Most workshops were booked by officers in Neighbourhood Policing teams, showing pupils that they can talk to your staff at any time. The

workshops are done in a fun but serious way covering such subjects as 999 calls, stranger danger, anti bullying, antisocial behaviour, drugs awareness, introduction into working dogs and prison life.

Your staff were brilliant and made the workshops great for the schools concerned. Last year over 25,000 pupils went through the workshops in your Force area and so far this year more than 1,000 pupils have attended the workshops in Greater Manchester.

Prison officer Paul McGovern MBE Tremendous Work I would like to record thanks and appreciation from myself and my wife for the empathy shown and for the actions of your officer PC Alison Casey in dealing with a very sensitive matter.

The anxiety and upset which this matter caused us is not conducive to good health, and the prompt action

by PC Casey and subsequent feedback helped tremendously in

restoring our peace of mind and giving us significant relief. Please commend PC Casey for the positive and supportive manner she showed.

Frank Hill Caring Officer I wish to express my sincere thanks and gratitude to PC Jen Jones, whom I recently had contact with in my role as a Health Visitor. I contacted the police on behalf of my client who was very distressed due to a domestic incident which took place.

My client is a vulnerable adult with mental health issues who also has a two­year­old daughter. PC Jones was extremely professional, kind and caring in her approach and handling of the situation.

She demonstrated good equality and diversity as well as showing empathy and understanding, which fully reassured my client. PC Jones then liaised with the Neighbourhood officer and requested that they contacted my client later in that week.

Bernadette Reid

@GreenSimeon

Michelle Ramtulla

@gmpolice well done to the two officers changing a wheel on the M61 earlier this evening. Someone must have been very grateful.

I would just like to say a huge thank you to every single member of gmp including 999 staff for everything they did yesterday in locating my little girl. You were all amazing so thank you again xx

@markbottemley

Gabby Basiuk

Got to say I've been really impressed with @gmpolice ­ follow up phone calls and texts asking for feedback not what you expect. #goodwork

Thank you to the 4 lovely police lads who helped me find my lost bag this morning!!! Much appreciated xx

@liamphelan12 @gmpolice ever since being a toddler I wanted to be a police officer, now I'm trying so hard to become one, you de­ serve all the respect :)

Daniel Green I think its excellent that GM Police have a page on here.

Its a fantastic way to get public attention, and for the most part people want to help keep their city safe. I have just shared this page with my friends and suggest other peo­ ple do the same. Keep up the good work Lads and Lasses, and thank you for you dedication, keeping the nasties off the street and finding missing people.

@greenboyroy

Stephanie Meyerson Nelson

Apparently the @gmpolice checked on my house today after my alarm went off, that was bloody nice of them. #topnotch #thankyou

Last night, the the Police at Pendleton station were my heroes. The police did their jobs and were very polite and sympathetic! Thank You Craig and Steve again for last night, you were amazing!

Brief Spring 2013 Edition

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GMP Community

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Prestigious and profitable business, formed 2003. Established reputation for outstanding service, therefore looking for new owners to continue business to present standard. Ideal for 1 or 2 retiring police officers. Reasonable selling price for business and vehicles, if required.

Present owner participation for 3­6 months to assist handover and training, subject to negotiation. email: keithrenwick48@gmail.com or phone 01625 524449.

2007 Bailey Pageant Burgundy Series 6 Four Berth Caravan. Corner fixed bed, blown air central heating, storage cover.

Truma mover. Many extras Tel: 0161 764 0669 chris.minshull@talk21.com for pics. £7800.00 PAVING & FENCING

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Everything from accounts to VAT, tax returns and advice. We put the customer first offering a friendly service at competitive rates. Contact us for a free consultation to discuss your needs. Tel: 0161 303 3183. Mobile: 07968 354737.

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Web: www.gregmcgahanaccountants.co.uk.

How to advertise in Brief Please fill in the Electronic version of the Advertisement Coupon here: www.gmp.police.uk/briefads

Although all reasonable steps have been taken to check the authenticity of advertisers, it must be stressed that acceptance for publication does not imply the acceptance All adverts must be accompanied by a copy of the of any responsibility or liability to GMP in respect of any advertiser’s warrant/ID card or pension number advertisement. Publication does not imply any Cheques should be made payable to “Greater Manchester endorsement of the companies, individuals or products.

Police” and sent to: Deadline for adverts to be submitted for the next Brief Advertising, Corporate Communications, Force HQ, edition is: Friday 29 March 2013

32

Brief Spring 2013 Edition

GMP Community

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WILLS— Power of attorney, Protection Trusts, Ex GMP 16 years will writing experience. Mike Burnham.

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TIME served professional & highly skilled plasterer. 30 years experience in domestic work, where Customer Care is at the forefront. Free quotes for internal and external work exc rates for GMP staff. Tel: Lorne 07899 042380

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QUALIFIED ELECTRICIAN: NIC EIC Reg. All domestic and industrial work undertaken. Fully guaranteed. Ashton Electrical contact Martin on 07590 192351. Email mashton1313@live.co.uk.

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Attention!!

If If you're you're looking looking for for something something to to do do over over the the Easter Easter break, break, the the GMP GMP Force Force Museum Museum have have a a number number of of fun fun events events planned planned including including an an Easter Easter Bobby Bobby Hunt Hunt and and Dizzy Dizzy Daffodils Daffodils craft craft activity. activity.

Find out more by visiting the Museum website: www.gmpmuseum.com Brief Spring 2013 Edition

33

GMP Community

Creating chances

The 22 new apprentices will work as Operational Support Officers assisting Integrated Neighbourhood Teams across the Force

MORE than 540 people have applied for GMP's new apprenticeship scheme ­ the first of its kind across all police forces in the UK. Young people, particularly those aged 18­24 from a range of backgrounds who are not in education, employment or training have been encouraged to apply.

Assistant Chief Officer Lynne Potts said: "We know that it is a very difficult time for young people looking for work. Government statistics show that long term youth unemployment, particularly in Manchester is continuing to soar ­ up to one in five people in Greater Manchester between the ages of 16 and 24 are unemployed.

"The concept of apprenticeships is well established in technical trades but the modern apprenticeship is also fast emerging across a variety of business sectors. As a police force we saw the benefits of adopting an apprenticeship programme both for the Force and the people of Greater Manchester.

We took the decision to work with the National Apprenticeship Service (NAS) to offer young people the opportunity to develop their skills in an exciting, fast­moving work environment.

"This scheme is all about giving young people valuable experience that will help them to develop their skills, establish a career in GMP and 34

Brief Spring 2013 Edition

become more employable in the wider workplace generally.

"We've deliberately targeted our recruitment for this scheme to the 'hard to reach' workforce ­ at people from diverse communities across Greater Manchester, and those not in education, employment or training.

We wanted to overcome some of the barriers to employment, to offer a better route into GMP for young people who may not necessarily have seen GMP as an employer of choice.

"The Force has received a high level of interest from other forces and organisations looking to introduce similar opportunities. The NAS has commended our scheme as high profile, ambitious and positively impacting the communities of Greater Manchester in relation to youth employment."

With only 22 posts available, successful recruits will become Operational Support Officers (OSOs), working alongside police officers and staff in the Force's new Integrated Neighbourhood Policing Teams.

Described as a 'job with training' by the NAS, the OSO apprenticeship scheme will essentially be a one year on­the­job training opportunity aimed at providing permanent employment for the apprentice in the OSO post at the end of that period.

As well as working with the

neighbourhood teams, they will also receive training to help them develop their skills in areas such as customer service, administration and IT support.

Apprentices will be given support to help them, including pre­ employment workshops by our training partner Damar, an induction programme that is role specific, one­to­one mentor and tutor support in relation to completing their level two customer service and functional skills qualifications.

Billa Duggal, Apprenticeship Coordinator said: "GMP is already considering an expansion of the scheme in other parts of the organisation.

“The initial pilot scheme will be evaluated with a view to introducing 50 more apprentice opportunities in the next financial year and making it an established recruitment stream into this Force.

"We hope that apprentices will form an important part in future workforce planning, helping to develop our future skills base, reflect the communities we serve and provide potential career pathways into a range of roles across the Force in the long term. " There will be two OSO apprentices on each division and successful candidates will be in post at the end of March.

Sports & Social

Navigate to glory

All set for Police Fell Race

By Bryan Lawton THE 2013 PSUK Orienteering Championships will be held in Sutton Park, Sutton Coldfield on Sunday 14 July.

This year’s event is organised by the Warwickshire and Coventry Orienteering Club, ‘Octavian Droobers’.

Sutton Park has a good path network and provides fast running underfoot. There are some intricate areas of gorse and some slow run areas where careful navigation is required.

There will be suitable courses for all abilities. Family members will be able to enter on the day.

The introductory course will give a fit runner a good 40 minute run

and pairs from the same Force may compete competitively.

There will separate prizes for men and women on this course with extra prizes awarded for competitors aged 55 or older (on 1 March).

The event will start between 10.30am and 12.30pm. Entry Fee is £8 per person including EMIT brick hire. All cheques should be made payable to ‘PSUK Orienteering’.

Entry forms can be found on thE PSUK website. Completed entry forms and payment should be sent to Peter Guillaume, 25 Crimicar Drive, Sheffield S10 4EF by Wednesday 26 June. Final details will be sent out by email and displayed at www.pgopage.co.uk/ psuko.htm For further information and enquiries please contact Peter

THE 2013 British Police Fell Race hosted by Cumbria Police takes place on Tuesday 14 May. The 11­mile course will start from Askham, Penrith at 12.30pm.

The course itself includes a range of lesser known but interesting Cumbrian fells and can be easily accessed from the M6 motorway at Penrith.

It will go over the lower fells from Askham towards Arthurs Pike and Bonscale Tower and Mellsguard before returning towards Swarthbeck Ghyll and back over Arthurs Pike.

In total this means an ascent of around 2500 feet.

Full details and entry information can be found at www.policesport.org

Triple triumph

Pictured left to right are: Martin Bottomley, Tony Isaacs, Iain Foulkes and Mark Coulsen.

THE GMP Golf team have won the Regional Golf competition – the Hart trophy for the fourth year running.

Teams compete in the competition throughout the year before culminating in a final of four teams.

The GMP team beat finalists, Cheshire, Cumbria, Merseyside at Sandiway Golf Club in Cheshire to pick up the trophy.

Each team comprised of 10 players and two reserves.

Do you have an upcoming sporting event you’d like to promote? Email details and any photographs to Brief@gmp.police.uk

Brief Spring 2013 Edition

35

Features

An iPhone app is now available to guide you around the Greater Manchester Police Museum. Download the app by visiting http://appstore.com/gmpmuseum

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Brief Spring 2013 Edition