Families Demand Named Police Officer in Stoke-on-Trent Community Fight

Residents in Stoke-on-Trent are pushing for a named police officer. They believe having a contactable officer will improve community safety and accountability.

Families Demand Named Police Officer in Stoke-on-Trent Community Fight
Families Demand Named Police Officer in Stoke-on-Trent Community Fight

Stoke-on-Trent: Residents are really frustrated. They want a named police officer back in their neighborhood. The Sandyford and Goldenhill Residents’ Association, known as SAGE, is leading the charge. They’re upset that they couldn’t invite a specific officer to their recent meeting.

This all started after Prime Minister Keir Starmer promised that every neighborhood would have a named officer. But Staffordshire Police say it’s been years since they had one. SAGE’s secretary, Tom Simpson, has reached out to senior police officials to support their request.

At the latest meeting, Tom expressed how important this is. He said, “We’ve worked with Staffordshire Police for 25 years. We’ve shared info about crime and safety. But now, we couldn’t even invite a named officer. It’s disappointing.”

Ben Adams, the Police Fire and Crime Commissioner, responded to the residents. He explained that there hasn’t been a named officer in the area for a long time. He believes it’s not the best way to connect with the community. He mentioned that officers work long shifts and can’t always be available.

The meeting revealed that three officers cover Sandyford, Goldenhill, Packmoor, and Tunstall. Local councillor Chandra Kanneganti and MP David Williams are backing the residents’ calls. Chandra said they need someone to call for help. David added that mixed messages from the police are confusing. He wants to ensure trust remains strong between the community and the police. They’re planning to hold a meeting to discuss this further.

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Xavier Marlega is a dedicated journalist with a knack for exploring current events and social issues, always providing meaningful insights in his work.