More police on the streets

48 more officers for neighbourhoods

OLDHAMERS will soon see more bobbies on the beat.

Five sergeants and 43 constables will join the existing neighbourhood policing teams this week in a bid to improve the quality of local policing.

This is part of a new GMP policing model that will result in more functions focused at a community level.

Dedicated teams will respond to emergency calls while local investigators will look into crime alongside the existing neighbourhood police.

A new customer-service desk at Oldham police station will give residents easy access to officers to raise any concerns they may have.

Chief Supt Tim Forber, head of Oldham police division, said: “We are committed to tackling crime and disorder and reducing anti-social behaviour, and this change to our structure will allow us to do just that.

“We aim to bring real efficiency to the way that we investigate crime, freeing up more time for officers to solve problems and deal with the priorities that the community sets for us.

“This approach has been used elsewhere in the country and has delivered real results in terms of a more efficient service that is better equipped to deal with community priorities.

“I should stress that there is no change in overall police numbers.

“This is about placing neighbourhood policing at the heart of our service and ensuring that we concentrate the resources that we have at a neighbourhood level.

“I am very excited about the changes as it gives us a structure on which we can build on the success of the previous year and I know that the neighbourhood inspectors are looking forward to having more resources and more responsibility.”

Insp Danny Milovanovic, of the Saddleworth and Lees Neighbourhood Policing Team, said: “I am really pleased by the investment of more resources into neighbourhood policing teams, which will enhance the level of service we give to victims of crime.

“The three additional police officers allocated to my own team in Saddleworth and Lees will provide me with greater resilience in tackling our community priorities, and allow my team to build on the success of the past year.”