‘Making streets safer is priority’
NEW INSPECTOR’S MISSION
MANCHESTER’S new city centre Inspector says his priority will be making the streets safer for the general public.
Insp Jon Middleton took charge of the busy city centre beat - and the reigns of the famous @GMPcitycentre Twitter account - a month ago.
He was previously the inspector for the south of Manchester and says he is excited to take on the new role. Insp Middleton said the main priorities for the city centre team will be ‘making people safer and feel safer.’
He also wants to crack down on street robbery and theft, as well as anti-social behaviour linked to drugs and alcohol abuse.
Insp Middleton told the M.E.N.: “I am very excited about working in the country’s most vibrant city.
“The challenges and opportunities here are quite unique in terms of policing compared to my previous roles. I have got a very committed and experienced team. I am very confident that working on this team and with our partner agencies that we can successfully tackle our priorities in the city centre and make it a safer place for people to live and work and visit.”
Insp Middleton said that he plans to keep the city centre Twitter account going, adding he hopes it will help the team to reach ‘hundreds, thousands or even millions of people we would not have otherwise.’
Before working as an inspector for South Manchester, he was a sergeant in the Tactical Aid Unit, having worked in policing for 20 years after moving from Kent. Inspector Middleton said he was inspired to join the force by his father and brother, who were firefighters.
He said: “Seeing what they did, I wanted to do something that had some variety and excitement.
“I genuinely believe you can save lives and make people’s lives better doing this job. For me that’s what the job is all about. It’s about making people safe.”