Focus on Heywood: PC Shahid Shah and PC Gareth Steward

PC Shahid Shah

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It seems the public are always quite intrigued when it comes to police officers, why they became a police officer, what is their favourite part of the job and so on.

So, as part of Rochdale Online’s Focus on Heywood month this October reporter Laura Wild took a trip to Heywood Police Station to find out more about Heywood North Police Officers, PC Shahid Shah and PC Gareth Steward.

PC Shahid Shah, 34, has been in the police for seven and a half years. He joined following five years in the armed forces and has worked in various parts of the country.
He began his policing career in London where he worked for four years; in 2007 he transferred to Greater Manchester Police as he wanted to be closer to home, in Blackburn.

In this time he has worked in Rochdale and Middleton before joining Heywood’s Neighbourhood Policing team.

PC Shah said: “I really enjoy this kind of work, there’s a variety of things to deal with from neighbourhood disputes to dog fouling, to working with the council to evict tenants to executing drugs warrants.”

PC Shah explained what he enjoys the most: “It is the relationships you build up with residents, getting to know them and helping to solve their problems.

“One of the highlights is working closely with partners like the council and the RSPCA to get the best result for the people of Heywood.”

Speaking about job satisfaction PC Shah said: “For me it is knowing that I have worked my best and helped the residents in anyway I can.”

When he isn’t working PC Shah enjoys going to the gym, he is interested in fitness and training and enjoys relaxing in the sauna and jacuzzi on his days off.

PC Gareth Steward, 27, has been in the police for six and a half years, his father is a police man and he primarily grew up around the policing scene.

“I joined because I wanted to make a difference,” said PC Steward, “I wanted a challenge and I wanted to make the world a better place.

“I grew up around the police force; I was always interested in my dad’s handcuffs and uniform when he got home from work.

“I always wanted to do something hands on and I knew it would either be the forces or the cops!”

PC Steward has worked in Rochdale, Littleborough and Middleton and 12 months ago he became a Community Beat Manager in Heywood.

Speaking about his job PC Steward said: “I like that every day is different, I like managing my own time and not knowing what I am going into I also like speaking to people.”

PC Steward particularly likes the problem analysis part of his job, “I like to see a job through, I enjoy dealing with it thoroughly and seeing it from start to finish.”

PC Steward is a keen Rochdale AFC fan, he enjoys watching the matches with his dad, and he also enjoys playing football twice a week.