New police team makes reporting crime easier

Police in Rochdale have introduced a new system to make it easier to report non-emergency crimes and allow officers to provide a speedier response to more serious incidents.

From Monday (3 November) people who do not need urgent police action can contact the Public Service Team (PST) to arrange for an officer to call at a time that is convenient to them. This means they do not have to stay in to wait for officers who may have been diverted to more urgent incidents.

It also means that officers can deal with reports of non-emergency crimes during times when they are less likely to be dealing with urgent incidents.

Rochdale’s PST consists of an inspector, three sergeants and 15 constables, and deals with all non-emergency calls to the division. Being based in Rochdale, the team believe they will be able to use local knowledge to deal more effectively with reports of criminal activity, and can deal with many incidents over the phone.

People will also be able to arrange an appointment at the police station to see a member of the PST.

Inspector Carol Wright, project manager for Rochdale Division’s PST, said: “We are committed to providing the best possible service to the public, and this new style of police response recognises that people lead busy lives, and it may be inconvenient for them to wait in for an officer to take a report of a crime.

“Victims of non-emergency incidents who contact police between 7am and 8pm will be called back within two hours to arrange a scheduled appointment where they can meet with an officer to discuss the matter. Otherwise they will be contacted as soon as possible the next working day.”

The dedicated Rochdale PST number for people to call is 0161 856 8540.