New Chief Inspector starts across local policing teams in Cannock and south Staffordshire

An officer with 22-years’ experience has been appointed to lead the Cannock and south Staffordshire local policing teams (LPT).

Chief Inspector Al Lyford started his post as Commander on Monday (28 April) and has already been busy tackling the priorities of local people and businesses in the areas. 

Ch Insp Lyford has worked in various departments during his career. He started with the force in 2003 as a PC in Tamworth before moving to various detective roles in Cannock and south Staffordshire, where he was responsible for stopping some of the most serious criminals in the county. He worked on countless investigations as part of our Major Investigations Department (MID) and our Criminal Investigations Department (CID).

He has honed his investigative and detective experience over a career that has spanned more than two decades, making sure that those responsible for high-harm offences in communities are identified, arrested and dealt with in court, as well as making sure those at risk of harm are safeguarded.

One of the investigations that Ch Insp Lyford worked on resulted in a combined 46-year prison sentence for two men who killed another man in Stoke-on-Trent in 2019. He also recently worked on an operation targeting criminal gangs cultivating drugs across Staffordshire, which resulted in 10 people being charged and 10 cannabis factories being closed down.

On his first day in post, local officers were able to arrest three people on suspicion of a number of theft offences at the McArthurGlenn Designer Outlet in Cannock. The investigation uncovered a total of 14 car keys and tools linked to vehicle theft, which is still ongoing.

This, amongst other key community priorities, is what Ch Insp Lyford and his team of officers are going to be focusing on.

He said: “I’m really pleased to be starting as Chief Inspector and taking the reins from the previous Commanders, Matt Walker and Tim Norbury, who have already carried out some brilliant work to reduce harm in local communities.

(Inspector Nicola Brookes and Chief Inspector Al Lyford)

“By working closely with my deputies, Inspector Lee Walker and Nicola Brookes, and all of the hard-working officers we have across Cannock and south Staffordshire, we’re going to continue tackling the issues that matter most to residents and businesses. This includes burglary, theft, serious violence and anti-social behaviour, to name a few.

“I’ve got significant experience in handling complex criminal investigations against serious criminals in Cannock and south Staffordshire, as well as working with partners to safeguard the vulnerable. I’m excited to use this experience for the greater good of the communities in these areas."

(Inspector Lee Walker (back) and Chief Inspector Al Lyford (front))

Ch Insp Lyford will be holding his first community engagement event as Commander at a date and time to be announced soon.

To find out more about policing in your area, visit: Your area | Staffordshire Police

To report a crime affecting your area, visit: Report | Staffordshire Police or call 999 in an emergency.