Tameside District Brief - February 2024

THE VOICE OF GREATER MANCHESTER POLICE

TAMESIDE - FEBRUARY 2024

ARIS FUNDING SUPPORTS COMMITMENT TO TACKLING VAWG

2 THE BRIEF

FEBRUARY 2024

ARIS funding used to support district commitment to tackling VAWG

Colleagues, a happy and prosperous New Year to you all.

In the last edition of Brief, I spoke of our year in review for 2023.

This time I am going to focus on the plans for 2024. As an SLT, we spent some time together mapping out our business plan for this year, and our principal focus beyond our mantra as ‘the learning district’, is to focus on the following three themes: People and resources We want to create a ‘buzz about the place’ with positive and motivated, family-friendly teams. As well as a good structure for supporting people’s development and a healthy focus on performance, relationships, and teamwork.

Money seized from criminals and distributed to police forces via the Asset Recovery Incentivisation Scheme (ARIS) is being invested into communities across Greater Manchester.

One of the latest initiatives by GMP saw cash recovered from criminals funding the delivery of a play that was shown in schools across Tameside.

The work was commissioned jointly by both GMP and Tameside Metropolitan Borough Council as part of their joint commitment to tackling violence against women and girls (VAWG).

Detective Chief Inspector (DCI) Anna Barker led the project with Breaking Barriers and attended a performance and facilitated discussion before Christmas in Bury alongside Deputy Mayor of Greater Manchester Kate Green, partner agencies from across Greater Manchester and young people.

The event also included a 30-minute workshop in which the children were encouraged to think about what VAWG means and how we can help create safer spaces.

Breaking Barriers spent time speaking to the pupils about their concerns regarding VAWG and what can be done about it.

These conversations were then worked into the script of the play.

Meanwhile, Chief Inspector Clare Galt, Detective Inspector Helen Ryan and other officers including child protection officers from Tameside’s Child Protection Investigation Unit, attend plays shown in schools in Tameside to support with any disclosures or concerns raised by pupils.

DCI Barker said: “This project initially started 12 months ago when we recognised a need to engage with young people and educate them about VAWG. “Our officers want to ensure children to recognise the signs and feel empowered to either challenge harmful behaviour – where it is safe to do so – or report it to professionals. It’s brilliant to see criminals’ finances being invested back into communities across Greater Manchester to fund good causes such as this.”

Processes, performance, and outcomes We want a mentality of ‘today’s work today’ with a razor-sharp focus on report to court police work to see Tameside victims get the justice they deserve and to prevent further crimes occurring.

Public service and partnerships Effective interactions with our communities and partners, where they see our human side, but also our dedication to keeping them safe.

I know the SLT joins me in thanking you for your efforts last year. We are making a real difference and Tameside is getting a reputation for good people, good structure, and good police work, which is what we are all about.

Chief Superintendent Phil Davies

If you need any support with Bee in the Loop or would like to submit a story for the new district edition of The Brief, please get in touch with Jessica Allen-Millbank

3 THE BRIEF

FEBRUARY 2024

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

4 THE BRIEF

FEBRUARY 2024

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.”

5 THE BRIEF

FEBRUARY 2024

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

6 THE BRIEF

FEBRUARY 2024

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

7 THE BRIEF

FEBRUARY 2024

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.

8 THE BRIEF

FEBRUARY 2024

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.

9 THE BRIEF

FEBRUARY 2024

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

10 THE BRIEF

FEBRUARY 2024

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.”

11 THE BRIEF

Community focus across Tameside Building relationships with our communities helps to forge strong connections between officers and local residents, which in turn, can lead to intelligence being submitted and further information when criminals do strike.

Over the past few months, officers and staff across Tameside have been meeting and engaging with local residents at community events – from delivering Christmas presents to those in need at the Women’s Service and being supported by Blue Coat School over the Christmas period, to visiting Ashton Library’s story makers to join in the fun with parents and children.

Taking the time to speak to communities and help them understand how the police can support them whilst also breaking down any barriers that may have been there, helps to build public trust and confidence, so a huge thank you to everyone who has been supporting our communities in this way.

FEBRUARY 2024

12 THE BRIEF

FEBRUARY 2024

Focus on Tameside Challenger team Across the force, each district has its own Challenger team dedicated to relentlessly pursuing and disrupting serious and organised crime groups, as well as reducing the risks to vulnerable people and preventing them from becoming victims.

The Tameside Challenger team is a proactive unit working out of Ashton-Under-Lyne station. The team is made up of Detective Inspector Lisa Devitt, Detective Sergeant Ian Parker, Detective Constable Jake Orr, Detective Constable Laura Smith, T/Detective Constable Daniel Metcalfe, Police Constable Richard Atherton and OSO Katie Embury.

Working together with partnership agencies including Tameside Council, Jigsaw Housing and Adult Social Care, they focus on criminality including county lines, exploitation of young children and vulnerable adults, modern slavery, immigration and economic crime and the use of firearms.

Tameside Challenger prides itself on its professional approach to tackling serious and organised crime across Tameside and works collaboratively alongside Derbyshire Police, North Wales Police and many others to secure lengthy convictions within the community.

Alongside the neighbourhood districts across Tameside and the Divisional Tasking Team, they work towards the four key partnership objectives – Prevent, Protect, Prepare and Pursue.

Prevent – support early intervention and prevention activity to tackle organised crime at the earliest point possible Protect – develop closer links with neighbourhoods and communities to develop an understanding of how it affects them, identify emerging issues and implement solutions Prepare – reduce this criminality by mitigating and tackling the impact of when organised crime occurs Pursue – be relentless and targeted in our pursuit against criminals of the highest harm through disruption and prosecution.

Over the past year, the team’s relentless pursuit in targeting these criminals has resulted in seizures of large quantities of cash, Class A and B drugs, and a viable firearm being taken out of their hands.

One such investigation saw prolific criminal Andrew Farren, sentenced to five years after the team found cannabis, cocaine and crack cocaine with a value of more than £100,000 alongside £73,000 cash.

Further investigations that the team are pursuing are currently going through court proceedings but have already received praise from members of SLT for a fantastic job well done for the entire team.

The team have also gone above and beyond to support people, even with one case where a female was convicted of drug supply. However, the team managed to assist in turning her life around after noticing there was genuine concern for a member of her family thought to be at risk.

A PC’s call to lower the age for breast cancer screenings The lives of Tameside Police Constable Jason Grange’s family have been completely turned upside down, after his partner of 14 years and mother of his two daughters, Lucy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. This is Lucy’s journey so far...

“I am Lucy, a 46-year-old mother of four and stepmother to two.

“In July 2023, our world changed forever. I received a diagnosis of grade 2 breast cancer, which is an invasive lobular carcinoma. After undergoing various scans, it was determined that I needed a full mastectomy and on 2 August 2023, I underwent the mastectomy and reconstruction surgery. However, I was back in for more surgery a week later and out of the ten lymph nodes examined, six were found to be cancerous. Things had now changed as there was a good possibility the cancer had spread to other parts of my body.

“The wait for the results of another scan was absolutely terrifying.

“All I could think was I cannot leave my children.

“A week later, it was confirmed that there was no cancer in my organs, which was a huge relief, phew! Although lesions were found on my spine, pelvis, and neck. I had experienced back problems for years, so I mentioned this to the doctors, as not all lesions are tumours. Further investigations, including a PET scan, another CT scan, and an excruciatingly painful biopsy into my pelvis bone. This was all necessary as they had to be 100% sure it was or was not the cancer, because of the type of treatment I would receive.

“Fast forward to October, I received the call. ‘I am so very sorry Lucy, it is breast cancer, spread to your bones’. I felt like I couldn’t function, despite being told that it is possible to live with this for many years.

Everyone’s journey is different, some people live for 5 years, some do not and some live for 18 years! So now, my future is uncertain, and I am terrified that I will not be able to see my two youngest children grow up.

“All the plans I had for my later years, after working hard all my life, are no longer promised.

“But I am going to fight this with everything I have, I have many reasons to live, and above all, I have my beautiful family.

“I am now undergoing treatment, which has been kind to me thus far. In February, I will be scanned to see if the disease is stable and if the medication is controlling it.

“It is crucial for the UK to update their screening process for women. Every year, 10,000 women under the age of 50 are diagnosed with breast cancer. I am certain that if I had been screened at the age of 40 or even 43, my cancer could have been cured! That is why I have started a petition urging the government to fund breast cancer screenings, starting at age 40. I am asking people to sign and share in the hope that we can make change. Please do this for your mother, sister, wife, daughter, and friends.”

You can find more information on Lucy’s Instagram account which is @breastintentionspetition or by searching ‘Fund breast cancer screening from the age of 40’ on Google.