Police chief off to pound a new beat

MY best four years have been in Oldham . . . Chief Supt Caroline Ball

Oldham’s first woman police commander is leaving to take up a top post with GMP in Manchester.

But Caroline Ball revealed the best four years of her police career had been spent in Oldham.

Chief Supt Ball said: “ I am honoured to have been part of the Oldham community.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to know residents and working with them and partner agencies to make the borough a safer place.

“When I first joined the division it already had an excellent reputation for community policing and I am proud to have further cemented this reputation through the implementation of neighbourhood policing.

“By putting officers at the heart of the community we have been able to ensure that policing is geared to the needs and concerns of residents, responding to their concerns and making sure we feedback to them about what we’ve done to tackle their priorities.

“Back in 2005 I promised to continue to reduce crime, build better links with the communities and make Oldham a safer place to live and work.

“Crime has come down by 27 per cent since then, which is testament to the quality of my officers and staff and the partner agencies we work with.

“I am proud of my many achievements while working in Oldham, including raising the awareness of domestic abuse.

“I will miss Oldham and take a lot of fond memories with me, confident that I am leaving the division in good hands.

She added: “I know without doubt that the determination of Oldham’s police officers and staff will continue, and that the needs of the community will always come first.”

Chief Supt Ball is taking up the post of Divisional Commander at Greater Manchester Police’s North Manchester division.

She will be succeeded by Chief Supt Tim Forber from West Yorkshire where he was previously superintendent of operations.

Mrs Ball, came to the town in August, 2005, as divisional commander taking over from Chief Supt Keith Bentley,

The mother-of two, who lives in Tameside, has more than 20 years experience in Greater Manchester Police having started as a constable in Levenshulme in 1986.