New chief inspector taking to the streets to speak to local people

New local policing Chief Inspector Al Lyford is hitting the road on a trip to speak to different communities about their concerns in Cannock.

Paired with deputy local policing commander, Inspector Lee Walker, the duo will be heading out in the mobile policing vehicle on Tuesday 3 June to speak to local people and businesses about the issues affecting communities the most.

They will be posted at Cannock Chase Leisure Centre on Stafford Road, Cannock, between 10am and 10.40am, before heading to Tesco car-park in Hednesford at 11.10am until 11.50am. In the afternoon, they will be at the Rugeley Community Centre on Burnthill Lane from 1pm until 1.40pm, followed by a trip to Heath Hayes football pitch, just off Wimblebury Road, from 2pm until 2.40pm.

Since starting as commander on 28 April, Ch Insp Lyford and Insp Walker have already been busy tackling the main concerns of local people, including serious violence, organised crime, drug dealing and road safety.

Ch Insp Lyford said: “Lots of good work has been going on locally in the last few weeks but I’m really keen to get out there and to speak to people on a personal level to understand more about what we can do to serve communities in Cannock.

“By being mobile and visiting a number of locations, we’re hoping it makes things easier for local people to come along and talk to us.

“Engaging with people and businesses locally is a fundamental part of local policing, and only by continuing to do so can we act on the main priorities of people living, working and visiting the area.”

Over the last few weeks, action has been taken against suspects in a number of investigations, as well as safeguarding measures brought in for those at risk in the area:

• Warrants executed across a number of addresses following concerns into potential drug dealing and organised crime
• Securing a number of charges following a collision and an assault at Marquis Drive
• An investigation resulting in the charge of a man following a serious assault in Cannock on 29 April
• Proactive work to tackle knife crime as part of #DitchTheBlade

Here’s a full list of the officers serving communities across the LPT:

Cannock town centre

PC Kristofer Jones

PC Deborah Barton

PCSO Hannah Fearnall

PCSO Callum Rooney

PCSO Chad Carrington

PCSO Karen Willis

Rugeley

PC Wendy Garrett

PC James O’Malley

PCSO Liz Dale

PCSO Keaton Martin

PCSO Sean Nicholls

Hednesford

PC Katie Wood

PC Aaron Newell

PCSO Emma Beady

PCSO Robert Evans

Heath Hayes and Norton Canes

PC David Redmond

PCSO Sukjinder Mander

PCSO Thomas Stewart

Chadsmoor

PC Anthony Clarkson-Kearsley

PCSO Bethany Jennings

PCSO Kayleigh Holmes

Business crime

PC Deborah Barton

PCSO Megan McAndrew

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