Meet the supercops

A TEAM of 565 police officers work 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to keep the streets of Bolton as safe as possible.

The battle against crime is being waged on all fronts, and while every officer in the force plays his or her part, there are some real "Supercops" helping to win the war.

They are proof that bobbies on the beat can cut crime and make a real difference to people's lives.

In Bolton, the 565 officers work in a variety of departments, ranging from firearms to child protection.

More than half, 365, are community beat managers or response unit officers who deal with calls from the public on a daily basis or are out on the beat.

And a band of 30 have arrested more than 50 people each in the last year.

The work of these officers, in bringing hundreds of criminals to justice, speaks for itself, says Bolton's top officer, Chief Supt Dave Lea.

He said: "We have a selection of officers, who, in one way or another, all contribute to the successes we continue to see in our fight against crime. They deliver our core business on a daily basis, which simply means the arrest of offenders and bringing them to justice.

"As the Commander of the Bolton police, I am delighted these high performing officers are members of my staff.

"I would point out, however that they are all a part of a team, committed to making Bolton a safer place in which to live, work and visit."

Community beat manager Bob Varley joined the police force later in life than most - but he has not let that stand in the way.

During the last 12 months, the 50-year-old has arrested 54 people, of whom 35 were eventually taken to court and sentenced.

Pc Varley joined GMP in 1992 after working for 20 years as an engineer.

He was a section patrol officer for 11 years and, due to his high arrest rate, was asked to take up the position of community beat manager for Dean and Daubhill, one of the highest crime beats in Bolton.

Pc Varley said: "I wanted a career that would make a difference' and give me great job satisfaction.

"I have got to know my beat thoroughly; the people who live there, the problems within the community and the offenders in the area.

"I work with an enthusiastic and dedicated team and we are out and about on the beat. It is a privilege to serve the people of Bolton and I have enjoyed every minute of my service."

Pc Joanne Shaw has the highest arrest rate for any female officer in Bolton, and is still in her probationary period.

The 44-year-old, who is based at Bolton Central, is the only woman to feature in the town's top 30 list. She has arrested 90 people in the last year and has a 100 per cent rate for detection - the number of people subsequently charged and sentenced for a crime.

It is a far cry from her previous job. She worked as a children's social worker until eighteen months ago, when she joined GMP.

Pc Shaw said: "During my time as a social worker, I saw so many children getting away with committing crime and just getting worse and worse. Now I believe the only way to help people is to arrest them and bring them to justice.

"I am just raring to go. I love coming to work and I want to stay working on the beat."

Pc Phil Warburton has only been a police officer for five years, yet he is responsible for one of the highest arrest rates.

He has detained 64 people during the last 12 months which has resulted in 56 detections.

Since May, the 30-year-old has been on the beat in Great Lever. Before than he worked in the town centre.

Pc Warburton, who joined GMP in 1999, said: "People want to see us out on the beat. It gives them reassurance because they often don't see what goes on behind the scenes.

"A small section of the community are responsible for the majority of crime. By going after them and making sure we have the right evidence available, we are bringing crime down.

"A lot of the time we need the community to work with us. By cleaning up an area, it gives people pride in where they live."

Pc Michael Parker is Bolton's arrest supercop.

He has notched up 119 arrests, resulting in more than 40 detections. The 26-year-old transferred to GMP last year from the London Metropolitan force where he had worked for three years.

Pc Parker covers the town centre district which includes Halliwell, Great Lever, Daubhill and Deane,

He said: "It is not the busiest area I have worked in in terms of crime being committed but we have fewer officers in Bolton than in the Met, so we, as individuals, are busier.

"Working in the town centre, many of the arrests have been alcohol-related.

"I feel proud that I am helping to make a difference to people in Bolton."

Pc Carl Costello and his dog are leading the way in the fight against crime.

The dynamic duo have arrested 61 people in the last 12 months, leading to 12 detections.

Pc Costello, aged 34, and his German Shepherd are based in Farnworth.

Their main role is to track down burglars and car thieves, and they can be called upon 24 hours a day.

They also help to locate missing people.

Pc Costello, aged 34, who joined GMP more than five years ago, said: "The majority of people I have arrested are suspected of burglary.

"We are called to the scene and the dog helps to locate and track down the offender.

"We are a team and I am very pleased with the success we are having."