Inspector Matthew Welsted has been appointed as the new Neighbourhood Policing Unit Inspector for Wilmslow and Alderley Edge. He takes over from Inspector Luke McDonnell, who has moved to Winsford.
The following introduces him, in his own words.
“Luke has done an excellent job of creating an effective neighbourhood policing unit; where your officers feel proud to work in Wilmslow. They have achieved success in both reducing crime and anti-social behaviour and in building links with you, the community that they serve. I am grateful to Luke for his hard work and leadership and am sure you will join me in wishing him all the best for the future.
My goal is to two-fold; to ensure that Wilmslow and Alderley Edge remain safe places to live and work and to make sure that all residents and visitors actually feel safe at all times. I intend to achieve this by visibly policing your area and focusing the time and efforts of my officers on those issues which matter most to you. I believe that working in partnership with you, your local authority and other organisations who are involved in your area is the key to effectively solving the problems that matter to you.
It is my genuine hope that you will share your concerns with my officers and to help this happen I will be looking at other ways of making my officers accessible to you, when you want them.
We will be concentrating on meeting the standards of the policing pledge and aiming to provide the excellent service which you expect and desire, so as to inspire confidence and pride in our policing.
About me...
I have 14 years experience in two constabularies. I joined Leicestershire Constabulary in 1996 and worked almost entirely in front line uniformed police roles. I gained a wealth of experience as a Constable in a busy city centre. The work ranged from how to manage crime investigations and deal with serious public order incidents to how to engage with a diverse community and problem- solve effectively with our partners.
I achieved qualifications in advanced police driving and was an authorised firearms officer. I gained promotion to the rank of Sergeant in 2003, following which I enjoyed several demanding roles, including running a domestic violence unit, an intelligence unit and a Neighbourhood Policing Team. I transferred to Cheshire in 2005.
I worked on a response team and performed the role of a Custody Sergeant before being promoted to the rank of Inspector in 2007. My initial role was to improve the service we provided to victims of crime and anti-social behaviour. At the time we were at the bottom of a customer-service league table for Police Forces. I managed the improvement project and implemented a complete new look to the way Cheshire Police deals with victims. We listened to victims and officers and designed a new way of working which made everything simpler. It prioritised the needs of the victims and allowed us to continually develop and adapt the service we provide to meet the changing needs of the public.
Most recent results show that Cheshire is now considered, by our victims of crime, to be in the top two police forces in the country. We gained a Commendation from the Excellence in Policing Customer Service Awards and are regularly consulted by other Forces who are attempting to improve the service they offer. I hope you share my pride that, in this area, Cheshire Police is at the forefront of national policing.
Last September I returned to front line policing by taking over as the Congleton Neighbourhood Policing Unit Inspector. That secondment taught me a great deal about running a Neighbourhood Policing Team in Cheshire. It was a thoroughly enjoyable time and prompted my successful application to take over at Wilmslow.
And finally...
I am 33 years old, married with two small children. My wife also works in the criminal justice system as a Senior Crown Prosecutor. In my spare time I enjoy playing football and at other times I am taxi-driver/chaperone/banker to a busy four year old!”
Matt
