Nottinghamshire Police has announced the appointment of a new head of neighbourhood policing in Ruddington.
Inspector Tim Cuthbert is vowing to engage with the public as his team continues its fight against rural crime, antisocial behaviour, car meets and shoplifting. With more than 20 years of policing experience, after previously working as an officer in intelligence and international crime, Inspector Cuthbert says he’s looking forward to “a new forward-facing role making communities across this beautiful and vibrant part of the county safer”.
He’s taken over the reins from Inspector Rob Lawton as the Neighbourhood Policing Inspector for Ruddington and other communities within Rushcliffe, including West Bridgford (where he’s based), Cotgrave, Bingham, Radcliffe-on-Trent and the large rural areas in-between.
Inspector Cuthbert adds: “I’m honoured to be taking over the role of neighbourhood inspector for Rushcliffe. It’s a wonderful place to live with diverse and exciting communities. I’ve already received a warm welcome from local councillors and other partners, and I’m looking forward to building these relationships further.
“We’re currently in a very good place with local crime rates falling, but I’m not complacent and we’re determined to do even better. I’m confident we can achieve this. With more officers than we’ve had in a long time, my team are working on a number of exciting initiatives – alongside internal and external partners – that are designed to make the local community even safer.”
He cites his experience as an investigator as a real help towards this goal: “I’ve worked in proactive roles, response and intelligence, and have a determination to keep the most vulnerable people in our society safe. Our crime priorities remain the same.
“We know the impact antisocial behaviour can have on people, whether that’s because of noise, vandalism, drugs, begging, the use of off-road bikes, car meets or anything else that causes harassment or distress to members of the public.
“Tackling this sort of behaviour remains a priority in Rushcliffe and we’re continuing to make sure we listen to any community concerns, engage and educate people and, where appropriate, take action.”
Inspector Cuthbert reveals the make-up of his beat team will remain the same for consistency, to allow neighbourhood officers to continue their engagement work within the community.
He has three sergeants, 17 police constables, seven PCSOs and two civilian investigators within his team, with PC Stephen Piper and PCSO Sherrylee Sampson staying on as Ruddington’s two beat officers. Both are based in Cotgrave since Ruddington’s police station closed in 2012.
In order to deliver on the area’s policing priorities, Inspector Cuthbert says his team will need help from residents and businesses: “The public know how they want to be policed so I need to know what they want for their neighbourhood, how we can make them feel safe and listened to, and how we can deliver that to them.
“I’m keen to hear from residents and businesses about any issues they may have. It’s important the public know their neighbourhood policing team is there for them. Please speak to our officers while out on patrol or get in touch via 101 so one of our team can contact you.
“I promise all information shared will be reviewed by an officer to see if we can take action and, of course, anything reported will always be treated in the strictest confidence.”
He concludes: “My intention going forward is to keep people updated on the proactive police work going on in our community, tackle our neighbourhood policing priorities and give residents the confidence to share their concerns so we can take the appropriate action to combat crime.”
You can contact the Rushcliffe neighbourhood policing team via www.nottinghamshire.police.uk/ or by calling 101.
Graham Wright via RUDDINGTON.info
Image of Inspector Cuthbert: Nottinghamshire Police