Policing shake-up ‘will improve efficiency’ (From Bury Times)
When news happens, text BONEWS and your photos to 80360 or phone 01204 537274
Policing shake-up ‘will improve efficiency’
10:47am Friday 18th January 2013 in News
A MAJOR shake-up of the way Bury is policed will see the borough’s six neighbourhood areas merged into two in a bid to save money.
The Bury division of Greater Manchester Police is currently covered by six neighbourhood policing teams — Bury West, Bury East, Ramsbottom and Tottington, Radcliffe, Prestwich and Whitefield.
But from March, they will be combined to create two teams, covering the north and south of the borough.
The teams will be renamed “integrated neighbourhood policing teams” because neighbourhood officers will work with CID and other partners.
The north team — encompassing Bury West, Bury East, and Ramsbottom and Tottington — will be led by Inspector Bryn Williams, who is currently in charge of Bury West, Ramsbottom and Tottington, and Radcliffe. He will be joined by Detective Inspector John Mazzolai, from Bury CID.
Inspector Mark Kenny will lead the south team, comprising of Prestwich, Whitefield and Radcliffe. He already leads Prestwich and Whitefield.
Detective Inspector Amber Waywell, from the volume crime team, a CID unit that investigates robberies, burglaries and vehicle crime, will join him.
The shake-up will see the number of inspectors reduced from three to two, with the removal of the currently vacant role at Bury East.
The integrated teams will parade from Bury and Whitefield police stations, but it is not yet known what will happen to other police buildings.
The restructure is part of changes across Greater Manchester as the force has to save £134 million over four years.
Chief Supt Caroline Ball, Bury’s most senior police officer, said it will help to “improve the efficiency and effectiveness” of the neighbourhood teams.
She added: “These changes will mean that there will be a better service provided not only to our victims but also our communities who will continue to see our officers on the street patrolling their area and working to reduce crime and antisocial behaviour.
“I would like to reassure the community that they will still be able to contact their neighbourhood policing teams via telephone, e-mail, at public inquiry counters, community meetings and, of course, through our social media channels which include Facebook and Twitter.”
