THE VOICE OF GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE
STOCKPORT - FEBRUARY 2024
OPERATION RIMINI GOES FROM STRENGTH TO STRENGTH
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Colleagues, From Thursday 1 February, Superintendent Rachael Harrison will join our team. Supt. Harrison will take up the position of operations and partnerships Superintendent replacing Supt. Zeashan Nasim, who is moving to the City of Salford. Supt. Harrison is joining us after leading the force’s work in relation to Diversity Equality and Inclusion. Having worked tirelessly to ensure that our organisation is one that truly reflects fairness and ethical practice from top-to-toe. Supt Harrison will hit the ground running as an experienced senior leader, and I am sure that you will all welcome her. I am very much looking forward to working with her in Stockport in 2024. We still have lots to do and she will be instrumental to many of our plans that I look forward to talking to you all about very soon. Whilst we welcome Supt. Harrison, it is only right and proper that I thank Supt Nasim for his huge contribution and leadership to our district this last few years. Supt Nasim will be missed by myself and the wider partnership. I am sure you will all join me in wishing him well in his future endeavours as he moves on to policing the City of Salford, that has its own unique challenges. Shortly, our district will be running Operation AVRO. An operation that I am sure you are all familiar with - a real opportunity to show our communities that Greater Manchester Police is a huge force for good. During the operation, which will last 24 hours, we will be executing intelligence-led search warrants, we will be engaging our communities more than we have ever done before, we will be arresting people who need to be arrested and we will be reassuring our public, building trust, legitimacy and confidence. Please use AVRO to get out and engage in our community. Let’s demonstrate how good we really are. I, and the rest of the senior team, are really looking forward to working with you closely during this time. And yes, that does mean me executing the odd warrant or two. Occasionally, I still like to remind myself what being a proper police officer is really like. Thank you for your continued hard work and support. Chief Superintendent John Webster
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Operation Rimini sees multiple charges and arrests in 2023 A proactive operation in Stockport town centre has secured 39 arrests and 103 charges. Operation Rimini, run by the Stockport Central Neighbourhood Policing Team, saw six days of action in 2023. Rimini is a combination of policing tactics, including high-visibility patrols and officers wearing plain clothes, with extra resources committed to the town centre. The days of action also saw £121,000 worth of illegal vapes seized and offenders jailed for a total of 57 weeks. Stockport district Chief Inspector John Picton said: “Operation Rimini proactive days of action continue to go from strength to strength. “We are relentless in the pursuit of criminals that cause harm to the Stockport community. “The successful days of action have had a significant impact, reducing antisocial behaviour by over 50 per cent, whilst increases in theft offences have been tackled by arresting and prosecuting prolific thieves. “We continue to use a wide variety of tactics to combat criminality in Stockport, and officers in high-visibility and plain clothes will continue to patrol the district.
“The team will continue to provide an outstanding service to the Stockport community throughout 2024. “The proactive attitude and approach will continue to achieve fantastic results for the benefit of Stockport.” Operation Rimini: The story so far… Six days of action 39 arrests made 103 charges secured 74 stop searches carried out £121,000 worth of illegal vapes seized 57 weeks of jail time for offenders 120 hours of community service for offenders
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New Code of Ethics to abide by Do the right things, in the right way, for the right reasons A new national Code of Ethics has been published to reflect the challenges of modern-day policing whilst outlining the professional behaviours that the public can expect to see from officers, staff members, volunteers and apprentices. Designed to underpin the policing sector, the Code of Ethics outlines the professional behaviours from a service that is fair, ethical and can be trusted to keep the public safe. It provides the bedrock for everyone across policing to ‘do the right things, in the right way, for the right reasons’. This new Code of Ethics will work alongside a separate Code of Practice for ethical policing. Launched in December, the Code of Practice sets out the actions that chief officers should take to support people in their force to follow the ethical policing principles and demonstrate professional behaviour. Our Deputy Chief Constable Terry Woods said: “I welcome the launch of the new Code of Ethics, which now better reflects the modern-day challenges we face. “It commits us to prioritising public service by always acting in the public interest, leading with courage by challenging wrongdoing when we see it and responding with respect and empathy at every call we attend. “This represents an important step forward for GMP – we are always striving to do the right thing and behave professionally at all times, and with this framework in place we can measure our actions, to ensure that we’re all working towards the same standards. “The ethical policing principles will drive everything we do going forward, and it’s your responsibility to fully understand these principles and embed them in your ways of working. “They are there to help you make the right decisions, whilst acting ethically and responsibly.” What has changed? The nine principles from the 2014 Code of Ethics have been mapped into the following three principles that are easier to remember and apply: • Public service • Courage • Respect and empathy. These principles are supported by guidance that sets out what ethical and professional behaviour looks like on a day-to-day basis. This details how policing professionals should behave, and will help all members of GMP to apply the ethical policing principles in their specific role. The guidance provides practical advice on areas of policing that are important to maintaining public trust and legitimacy. This includes being open, honest and candid, treating all people and their property with fairness, dignity and respect and challenging or reporting behaviour that is unprofessional. The Code of Ethics guides officers, staff, volunteers and apprentices through the decision-making process by encouraging the use of personal responsibility and professional judgement.
It is central to the National Decision Model (NDM), and by using the Code of Ethics you can ensure that you are acting in a fair and ethical way in everything you do, whether that is arresting a suspect or delivering training. Andy Marsh, CEO of the College of Policing, said: “You make difficult decisions on a daily basis which often impact people who are vulnerable. “This new code will guide you through the decision-making process to ensure that you are applying professional judgement and personal responsibility, whilst reflecting on and learning from past experiences, continuing to improve, review and apply new knowledge.” More about the new code The code is hosted on the College of Policing website and has been developed by serving police officers, police staff, academics and representatives from partner organisations. It is based on evidence and first-hand experience to make sure that everyone working in policing feels fully supported within their roles. DCC Woods added: “Whilst the Code of Ethics gives us guidance of how we require people to conduct their work, it works alongside GMP’s Standards of Behaviour. “These standards are in place to remind us what we need to do – they are a mandatory set of key performance rules that must be adhered to. “More information is on the dedicated Code of Ethics section of the intranet. “Remember, the Code of Ethics underpins everything we do, every day.” Your feedback is welcomed We would like to hear what you think of the new code. Please scan the QR code below to access a quick and anonymous feedback survey. The survey can also be accessed via the intranet.
2024 Code of Ethics survey
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Book your place for Chief Constable’s Roadshow
Eight roadshow sessions to choose from
This year marks GMP’s 50th anniversary, so there is no better time to reflect on where we are as an organisation and where we want to be. Our goal is to be the best performing police force in the country, and although there is a lot of work that needs to be done to achieve that ambition, we are undoubtedly on the right path. Our recent police effectiveness, efficiency and legitimacy (PEEL) report cemented our position as the most improved force in the country for the second year running, and Chief Constable Stephen Watson would like to thank all officers, staff members, volunteers and apprentices in person for their hard work and dedication that is fuelling GMP’s resurgence and to let them know our plans for the future. The upcoming Chief Constable’s Roadshow offers the perfect opportunity to do so. All members of the force are urged to attend one of the events taking place between the Tuesdays of 30 April and 2 June 2024 to celebrate GMP’s achievements over the past year and to discuss our blueprint for further progress over the next 12 months and beyond.
We have arranged eight sessions across four dates and three venues to provide the opportunity for all members of the force to attend. The options are:
Staying on track to be the UK’s best force CC Watson said: “The rate of improvement seen at GMP since the force was put into special measures in December 2020 is unparalleled in the history of UK policing. “The goal now is to continue the momentum. “The annual roadshow provides a platform for officers, staff members, volunteers and apprentices to come together, take stock of where have been and the improvements we have made and identify the remaining challenges that lie ahead and how we will navigate our way through them. “It also provides the opportunity for you to feed back to the Chief Officer Team directly.”
• Tuesday 30 April: AJ Bell Stadium, Salford • Friday 3 May: Midland Hotel, Manchester • Thursday 9 May: Midland Hotel, Manchester • Tuesday 14 May: Bolton Stadium Hotel, Bolton Morning (10am to 12 noon) and afternoon (1.30pm to 3.30pm) sessions will be held on all four event days. To book your place, visit https://forms.office.com/e/gtLv3hfddy and fill in the simple form, detailing your name, collar number, the branch/district you work for and your chosen session by the deadline of Monday 22 April. Pre-event feedback to inform roadshow agenda In the lead up to the roadshow, we want to hear how you have contributed to GMP’s continued evolution over the past year. We want to know: • What are you most proud of achieving this year and why? • What do you think we still need to do? Please answer the questions in full via https://forms.office. com/e/5P014u6YYB CC Watson said: “The quick survey will inform the roadshow agenda and enable us to address any issues that you raise. “I look forward to seeing you all during the roadshow.”
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Retrospective facial recognition pilot is already proving to be successful GMP is already reaping the rewards of agreeing to be one of six police forces to pilot a retrospective facial recognition (RFR) initiative. The four-month pilot has been launched to improve and increase RFR through the Police National Database (PND), as part of the Home Office Digital Landscape Review programme. RFR is one of the functions of the PND that looks for matches using existing photographs, with over 18 million searchable records. It uses an algorithm to compare images of unknown individuals against a pre-determined dataset to establish if they are on the national database. If you have an image of a person you need to identify in connection with an ongoing investigation, you may be able to do so via an RFR search via the PND. Missing people and people of interest in an investigation can also be searched for. We began working with different areas of the force to embed the initiative when the pilot went live at GMP at the start of January. This is an ongoing process, with training being provided as and where necessary, but we have already seen some positive results. Superintendent Marcus Noden, the force lead for the pilot, said: “We need to ensure that we are always looking at new and better ways of policing. “Our participation in this pilot will not only help to deliver improved use of facial recognition technology in policing nationally, it will increasingly provide positive results for the force. “We have already benefited from the pilot on a number of occasions.
“For example, Sergeant Mark O’Brien recently established that a man loitering around closed shops in Bolton town centre was a registered sex offender wanted for three offences, after obtaining a photo of him and uploading it onto the PND facial recognition tool. “The man had given a different name to his true identity established through the technology. “Usage of RFR is increasing at GMP day-by-day, and the team looking after the pilot will continue to work with different areas of the force to further embed this initiative, providing training where necessary so that everyone who can make use of this technology in their role will be fully up to speed.” The force has around 200 trained PND operators that can action an RFR search for you upon request. Our branches and districts have their
own PND points of contact. Check out the ‘Police National Database’ section of the intranet for everything you need to know about utilising the PND to help you achieve more positive results in your role. Supt Noden added: “GMP was unable to put many images onto the PND from custody captures prior to March 2023, due to the poor image qualities taken by the cameras in the custody suites. “Since then, however, the quality of our custody images has improved through the use of advanced camera equipment, which now provide good enough quality images to be uploaded onto the PND. “As a result, up to 3,000 GMP custody images are now being uploaded onto the PND every month, with the image size and quality getting better over time too. “The fact that we’re improving our performance at the start point of the RFR process can only be a positive in terms of RFR opportunities further along the crime investigation line. “This is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of what the system can do to help us get positive outcomes. “For many investigation teams, such as the District Investigation Teams (DITs) and the Initial Investigation Unit (IIU), there are literally thousands of additional investigative opportunities through the use of facial recognition, as a result of ongoing system improvements. “I ask all teams to think about how they can take advantage of this facility to help them with their work.” We are working with the Home Office, College of Policing, National Police Chiefs’ Council and Police Digital Service in delivering the pilot.
Examples of suspects being identified via RFR
CCTV image
Cropped CCTV image
Custody image
CCTV image
Custody image
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Invaluable air sup requested whenev The National Police Air Service provides an invaluable service to forces across the country – but it is currently being underutilised by GMP. Bury district Chief Superintendent Chris Hill, the GMP and North West lead for NPAS, said: “The National Police Air Service was formed in October 2012 following a national review of air support conducted by the Home Office in 2009. “NPAS provides borderless air support to the 43 police forces of England and Wales 24 hours a day, 365 days a year from its national network of 13 bases, with our closest being at Barton in the Salford district. “The blended air service provided by NPAS involves 13 helicopters and three fixed wing aeroplanes. “Flying at an average speed of 138mph, police air support saves officers on the ground valuable time when it matters and is an invaluable resource for tackling criminality, saving lives and keeping people and communities safe. “In time-critical searches, such as that of a high risk missing adult or child, the time saved in locating people can literally mean the difference between life and death. “Yet we are not utilising NPAS enough at GMP.” NPAS can carry out a variety of tasks for forces, including: • Searching for high risk missing people, injured people and for people where there is a serious concern for their safety and wellbeing • Searching for suspects • Managing vehicle pursuits from the air • Assisting with counter terrorism and specialist firearms operations • Aerial photography • Crowd control.
The benefits of utilising air support include: • The ability to search large areas quickly – 20 times faster than other options and requiring fewer ground resources – can mean the difference between life and death • The crew can provide an aerial overview of a situation, which minimises risk to members of the public and officers • The mission equipment on board the aircraft provides a real-time downlink into control rooms • NPAS has the ability to surge resources in times of greatest need • The service provides enhanced safety of the public and officers • NPAS produces specialist quality evidence • The aircraft provide a visible and powerful deterrent, ensuring that communities are safe and people feel safer. NPAS aircrafts offer daylight and thermal imaging cameras with video recording capability and high-quality stills photography. The helicopters also have a public address system and a Nitesun search light. Ch Supt Hill said: “Air support should be requested whenever it is justified. “It should also be requested at the earliest opportunity in order to maximise effectiveness.” A request for air support can be made through the Force Contact, Crime and Operations Branch (FCCO), where authorisation will be given by the Force Duty Officer (FDO)/Force Duty Supervisor (FDS) and passed to NPAS Control. Once the request has been received by NPAS, the next available aircraft will be allocated. If it is already airborne and is operating locally or is on a local ‘CK’ talk group, a request can be made directly to the aircraft in order to minimise response time. However, this will
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pport should be ver it is justified need authorisation from the control room supervision. The information that needs to be passed to NPAS is the location, task and talk group. Pre-planned tasking requests can be made via a ‘Request For Pre-Planned Air Support’ form and must be authorised by an inspector or above. Once the form has been completed it should be emailed to NPAS Dispatch via ops.centre@npas.police.uk The nearest base for GMP is NPAS Barton in Eccles. The contact details are: • • • •
Base Manager (Sergeant): Extension 64604 Duty Crew: Ext 64601 Pilot: Ext 64636 Email: npas.barton@npas.police.uk
When it comes to pre-planned deployments, NPAS Tactical Flight Officers are available to provide strategic advice and guidance around NPAS capability and service delivery. This will support cost-effective and efficient deployments, intelligence targeted taskings and increase positive outcomes. You can request to speak to NPAS Tactical Flight Officers via the above Base Manager and Duty Crew numbers for NPAS Barton. Is a drone a more suitable option? The GMP Drone Unit is a more suitable alternative to NPAS support in some instances. Our drones can get into much smaller spaces, including indoor areas and unsafe spaces. The fact that they are smaller and quieter than a helicopter makes them more suitable for many tasks, including those of a more ‘covert’ nature.
Also, unlike NPAS support, it does not cost the force anything when our drones are utilised. However, our drones have limitations. The operator must maintain a clear line of sight with the drone at all times, and so drones are not suitable for vehicle pursuits and other similar deployments. Drones are also more limited in inclement weather conditions, although they can fly in rain. To request a drone for deployment, send a completed Form 2007 to drone@gmp.police.uk for non-time sensitive taskings or call either radio channel 371, the FDO on extension 66321, ext 66207 (office) or the duty drone mobile number of 07393 239737 for time sensitive/spontaneous taskings.
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An exceptional resource for all suspected CSE and CCE cases GMP’s Complex Safeguarding Teams are on hand to provide expert support and assistance to officers across the force on any case in which they feel that there may be child exploitation concerns. Each of our districts has a dedicated team for child sexual exploitation (CSE) and child criminal exploitation (CCE) investigations. Made up of detectives, social workers, psychologists and nurses, they are an invaluable resource that officers should utilise for all suspected CSE and CCE cases. The teams will provide investigative support, guidance and assistance, and, importantly, if the evidence suggests that the child is being exploited by an adult, they will take ownership of the investigation in order to safeguard the child and prosecute the exploiter. Detective Sergeant Tim Greenwood, of our Public Protection and Serious Crime Division, said: “The Complex Safeguarding Teams across the force provide passion and dedication to protecting vulnerable children in Greater Manchester. “I see evidence daily of their commitment to safeguard, educate and support not only the children but their parents and families too. “Recently we have commissioned some online training called ‘Out of the Shadows’, which highlights and identifies the real-life dangers for some of Greater Manchester’s children, and I ask every officer who has a concern for a child
appropriate language around children and victim blaming and to follow the guidance that has been supplied following a national review into CSE – search for ‘Appropriate language for professionals’ on the intranet.” For assistance with CSE and CCE cases, contact your district Complex Safeguarding Team SPoC. The SPoCs are:
they believe may be being exploited to contact their district safeguarding team for advice and support. “We are very good at identifying sexual exploitation, but we have seen a massive increase in online exploitation and it is imperative that you retain all potential evidence to support investigations. “In respect of criminal exploitation, this is something we have made great improvements on, and the Complex Safeguarding Teams are doing some amazing work in protecting these vulnerable children from adults who are clearly exploiting them. “We still need to be mindful, however, that some children in our communities are being arrested for drug supply offences when there is a possibility that they are being exploited by an adult. Again, when this occurs it is important that you seize all relevant evidence, such as phones, and make contact with the force’s safeguarding teams so that we can identify if there is any exploitation taking place. “I also ask all officers to be mindful of
• Bolton: DS Andrew Jameson, extension 65645, boltoncpiu-cst@gmp.police.uk • Bury: DS Damian Reed, ext 69694, bury.csh@gmp.police.uk • City of Manchester: DS Jinnett Lunt, ext 66020, com.csh@gmp.police.uk • Oldham: DS Andy Barrett, ext 63182, oldham.csh@gmp.police.uk • Rochdale: DS David Read, ext 68487, rochdale.csh@gmp.police.uk • Salford: DS Vickie Ford, ext 65186, salford.csh@gmp.police.uk • Stockport: DS Kat Moriarty, ext 63188, stockport.csh@gmp.police.uk • Tameside: DS Michelle Davies, ext 69421, tameside.csh@gmp.police.uk • Trafford: DS Kate Southern, ext 63394, trafford.csh@gmp.police.uk • Wigan: DS Nicola Wood, ext 63614; and DC Louise Dunne, ext 61835; wigan.csh@gmp.police.uk
Right Care Right Person coming soon Later this year GMP will be adopting Right Care Right Person (RCRP), a nationwide initiative which helps to identify when 999 or 101 calls require a police response and when a different agency would be better placed to assist. Full training and support resources will be made available to everyone who needs them before the programme goes live. In recent years calls for mental health and social care incidents – including concerns for welfare, patients
leaving care settings and falls and injuries – have increasingly been routed inappropriately to the police. Our officers currently spend a significant amount of time dealing with incidents and issues which fall outside their remit. Not only does this impact the resources that we are able to direct to preventing and investigating crime, but the police are often not the best first response to support vulnerable, unwell or confused people. Right Care Right Person will not
affect our existing legal and moral duties. It will not stop officers attending incidents where there is a threat to life or a risk of serious harm, a child is at risk or a crime or potential crime is involved. Please be aware that RCRP has not yet gone live at GMP and no changes currently need to be made to the way we work. For more information, please see the ‘Right Care Right Person’ hub in the Operational Support section of the intranet.
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Wellbeing at Greater Manchester Police Join the GMP Simplyhealth Plan
Maintaining healthy relationships
Staying active and keeping a healthy focus on enjoying life can help you to cope with financial stress. You can do this on a budget by taking advantage of the lifestyle discounts and offers on gym membership available through Simplyhealth. There may be times when your finances overwhelm you emotionally and finding pleasure and staying active may not seem important, but taking time out will serve you and your family well in the long run. As a GMP employee, you can get 25 per cent off selected gym membership with Simplyhealth. You can also enjoy discounts from over 3,300 studios, sports clubs and gyms – including PureGym and David Lloyd Clubs – plus online workout programme subscriptions. The GMP Simplyhealth Plan also provides cashback towards everyday health costs – such as dentists, opticians and physiotherapists – as well as access to body scans and health consultations. Visit www.simplyhealth.co.uk/GMP to find out more or to join the plan.
The theme for GMP’s Wellbeing Calendar this month is ‘maintaining healthy relationships’. People with healthy, positive and supportive relationships are more likely to be happier and healthier. Creating and maintaining good connections with others can also help to combat loneliness and improve mental health issues, such as stress and anxiety. You can learn more about how to build and maintain healthy relationships, and deal with issues including stress and anxiety, via www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters. February dates for the diary • Thursday 1 February: Time to Talk Day • Monday 5 to Sunday 11 February: Children’s Mental Health Week • Monday 5 to Sunday 11 February: National Apprenticeship Week • Tuesday 6 February: Safer Internet Day • Wednesday 7 February: Charles Dickens Day • Saturday 10 February: Chinese New Year • Saturday 17 February: Random Acts of Kindness Day Support is always available If you are struggling, there is always someone to talk to: • Peer support in GMP: Contact our Wellbeing Volunteer Co-ordinators to be put in contact with a colleague who has lived experience of a situation you are currently going through. • Health Assured: You can call our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) provider’s free, confidential helpline 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on 0800 028 0199. • Samaritans: A listening ear is always available on 123 116.
Chance to win £1,000 in free draw Police Mutual is giving all members of the force and their families the chance to win £1,000. There will be two winners of the cash prize in Police Mutual’s free prize draw, which closes on Sunday 31 March 2024, with the draw taking place on Tuesday 9 April 2024. You must be eligible for Police Mutual products, and terms and conditions apply for the prize draw. For the full details of the prize draw, including how to enter, visit https://rb.gy/llw644
Send targeted alerts and crime prevention advice Provide reassurance following incidents and emergencies Reply to messages and involve the public in shaping local priorities
Members of the public must sign up to receive free email or text alerts www.beeintheloop.co.uk
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Support for officers from recruitment into retirement Did you know that GMP officers can have full access to The Ben Fund, even into retirement? The independent charity is dedicated to supporting and caring for police officers from recruitment into retirement. With a monthly donation of £8.40 (subject to ‘Payroll Giving’), you can access all that the charity offers, from respite and recovery, physiotherapy, mental health support and wellbeing breaks to financial assistance during times of hardship and ‘in-service’ death grants awarded to dependants. The Ben Fund also has its own stateof-the-art treatment centre, St Michael’s Lodge in Lancashire’s Ribble Valley, which offers members a short break away from regular life, from £120 for a two-night bed and breakfast stay. The charity has provided invaluable support to officers across the North West and the Midlands, and currently has over 16,500 members.
The wife of a retired officer has thanked the charity for the support it provided when her husband became seriously ill and required round-the-clock care. Thanks to the financial support and rehabilitation therapy provided by The Ben Fund, a very scary situation became more manageable. She said: “There’s been such a financial worry, and it’s been really helpful to know that we can fall back on The Ben Fund and that we haven’t been
left in the lurch. I am so pleased that Derek paid into The Ben Fund his whole career, and still does now out of his police pensions, as now we have that support when we really need it. “We were fortunate enough to not need The Ben Fund when Derek was serving in the police, but we did when he retired. “The charity has been absolutely marvellous. “Whenever Derek has wanted or needed something, The Ben Fund has helped him. “The charity is always there, whenever we ask for help or support.” Visit www.thebenfund.co.uk, email enquiries@nwpbf.org or call 01254 244980 for more information about The Ben Fund, including how to become a member. Once you have joined you should see a deduction on your pay or pension slip titled ‘Benevolent Fund’.
WWI art finds a home at Sedgley Matt O’Hara-Lythgoe, a former contracts and compliance manager for the BBC, has donated a picture to GMP to thank us for our support in setting up the corporation’s Veterans Network. Titled ‘The Burial of the Unknown Warrior’, the picture was commissioned by His Majesty King George V following the end of the First World War and symbolises all those who died in the conflict. The picture was authorised by the King to be displayed in every police station around the country. Unfortunately, the picture has disappeared from most buildings over the years. However, by chance, Matt and his father managed to pick one up at a recent auction. Having had it restored and mounted, Matt wished for it to be put back on display in a police building. Following GMP’s support in setting up the Veterans Network at the BBC, where he was the veterans lead, Matt wanted the commissioned artwork to be proudly displayed within our force. The picture was handed over to
Inspector Jim Jones, Frank Rutter and John Thompson from the force’s Armed Forces Network and has been put up on display at Sedgley Park. Insp Jones said: “When Matt offered to donate the picture to us, we were
naturally delighted to accept it. “Having it hanging in the iconic ‘Library Corridor’ at Sedgley Park means it is rightly in full view of everyone as King George V would have intended.”
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New Stockport Central NPT Inspector It’s all change at the Stockport Central Neighbourhood Policing Team, but the fight against crime remains unchecked. Inspector John Barber, took over at the start of the year from John Picton, who has moved up to chief inspector. Insp Barber has been at GMP for 17 years, having started his career as a PCSO at Greenheys in the Manchester district. Neighbourhood policing is very much in his blood having also worked as a constable and a sergeant in Moss Side and Levenshulme. Insp Barber said: “I have been working in response at Stockport for the past 18 months, but I am from a neighbourhood policing background. “I wanted a role with more of a neighbourhood focus where you get to see things to conclusion and get to see more of the results.
Our priorities remain the same – to tackle anti-social behaviour and people on off-road bikes who blight society. Other priorities for this year will be tackling burglary and drug dealing. “I will be getting out and about regularly with my officers, so we are more visible to the public. “There is also a lot of work ongoing with partners to tackle ASB and other local issues.” Stockport’s central team has 25 officers and backroom staff, and now has a direct channel to shops in the town centre to report crime. In the past year, the team has put Operation Rimini into place that has resulted in 39 arrests and more than 100 charges and an undercover shoplifting operation. Insp Barber added: “Shops can now report crime directly to officers via a separate and dedicated radio channel, which means we can deploy officers to crimes straight from the town centre base.
“The team has had a lot of success in 2023 with dedicated operations and that will be ramped up in 2024 as we target criminals and disrupt their activities.”
Stockport response officer praised for supporting vulnerable woman A Stockport response officer has been praised for the ‘calm and composed’ way she dealt with a vulnerable woman. PC Rebekah Marsden attended the incident at 9pm near junction one of the M60 in December 2023 when the woman was on the wrong side of the motorway bridge. She worked with other emergency services and GMP officers, spending almost three hours on the bridge until the woman was brought down safely. PC Marsden said: “When I arrived, there were already officers at the scene, but the female would not engage with them.
“It was a difficult situation because I'd never dealt with anything like this before and I didn't know if I was going to say the right thing, but I felt like I had to do something. “I kept a distance to give the woman some space and asked her why she was there. “She slowly started to engage but got upset - I was scared for her, but remembered it wasn't about me and how I felt. “A female paramedic came to help and we worked together to get her on the right side of the bridge. I then helped her down and into the back of an ambulance.” Chief Inspector John Picton praised PC Marsden’s actions, saying: “She found herself in a challenging and potentially dangerous situation, but she remained calm and composed.
“Stockport police officers provide an outstanding service to our community, responding to incidents 24 hours a day, frequently facing challenging and dangerous situations. “I am extremely proud of our team, the professionalism, dedication and resilience they show shift-by-shift, day-by-day. “They play a significant role in making Stockport a fantastic, safe place to live, work and socialise.”
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Operation Wage launched in Stockport Our Economic Crime Unit is currently working in the Stockport area as part of a three-month pilot that ends in March. The aim of Operation Wage is to reduce fraud and cyber crime in the area. It will see Fraud Protect Officer, Paul Fletcher, and five volunteers working with partner agencies to build strong and effective relationships. The team, who are working from Cheadle Police Station, will be attending two community events per week to provide members of the public with fraud and cyber crime prevention advice. Here are details of upcoming events: Monday 5 February, between 11am and 1pm: Annie’s Café
Tuesday 6 February, between 10am and 2pm: Village Hotel Cheadle Tuesday 13 February, between 10am and 2pm: NatWest Stockport Underbank Hall Tuesday 20 February, between 10am and 2pm: Lloyds Bank, Stockport Tuesday 5 March, between 10am and 2pm: HSBC Stockport If you know of any community members who would benefit from attending, please share the details of the events with them. The team will also be visiting victims of fraud to give them advice on how to prevent themselves from falling victim to further frauds. If you have any queries, please email fraudstrive@gmp.police.uk If you currently have a fraud crime and need support, please email Economic.CrimeDesk@gmp.police.uk
Stockport police officer honoured The only Stockport police officer to be killed while on duty is be honoured by Greater Manchester Police. PC Ian Rodgers, was just 25 years old with two young sons when he was hit by a train in Brinnington on 26 March 1975. PC Rodgers had been looking for children after reports they were trespassing on the line and suffered fatal injuries from which he died about a week later. A tree was planted in the memorial garden at GMP’s Sedgley Park training headquarters to mark the 40th anniversary of PC Rodgers’ death. Now, Stockport commander, Chief Superintendent John Webster, wants a fitting tribute to PC Rodgers at Cheadle Heath Police Station where the conference suite will be named in his honour. Ian’s widow, Pauline, now 76, was a teacher in Stockport and has now retired to live in Salisbury. They have two sons, Dan, 51, and Andy, 49. Pauline said: "Ian was first and foremost a wonderful dad, husband and exceptional police officer. When Ian left school on the Wirral, he joined the Police Cadets in Liverpool and spent some time there before transferring to join the force in Manchester, operating in Stockport.
“ “Ian and I first met in Crewe. He was doing a driving course, I was at the local teacher training college, and we married in August 1971. “He loved both his children, playing cars and trains endlessly with Dan, and waking up three-month-old Andy when he got in from work at 11.30pm, just so he could give him a cuddle. “At Christmas and on birthdays he worked on his carpentry skills in the garage, making planes, garages and bikes. “Dan was born in July 1972 and Andy in November 1974. Our family unit was developing but Ian's accident and death in April 1975 shattered that unit and left an unfillable void in the following years. “Ian gave much of his spare time to the local community he worked in, spending many hours helping Stockport youngsters with their swimming and lifesaving skills. He also helped with a local Scout troop and attended church whenever possible. Chief Superintendent Webster invited Dan and his family to Cheadle Heath Police Station to see the room that will be named in his dad's honour. He said: “I was looking through the history of policing in GMP, and in Stockport in particular, and came across the tragic story of PC Rodgers. “He was a young man when he lost his life serving the people of Stockport.
“I believe he is the only Stockport officer ever to have been killed in the line of duty but there is no memorial in Stockport in his honour. “I wanted to put that right and decided naming the conference suite at Cheadle Heath after him is a fitting tribute.”