The Beat Podcast from Staffordshire Police

Knife crime is a community issue and it’s crucial that those at risk are aware of the support available to them. Even though it’s not common to carry a knife, we know that some young people choose to carry because they perceive that others are too, or because they feel pressure to do so.

If you want to know more about what's happening locally, signs to spot that indicate a young person may be carrying a knife, or to know what happens if someone is found to be carrying a knife, take a listen to hear from our guest speakers:

• Mark from Staffordshire's Violence Reduction Team
• Gemma from Catch22
• Joy from Stoke-on-Trent Youth Offending Service

Visit our website for more information about our Ditch The Blade campaign and to access details for support organisations.

Have any questions? Drop us an email at [email protected]

As well as face-to-face engagement, modern technology helps our officers engage with communities in more ways than ever.

In the latest episode of The Beat Podcast, hear from PCSO Horton and Chief Inspector Cotton as they share their experiences of local policing and community engagement. Understand how they work with their local residents, businesses and partner organisations to better understand local issues and to tackle these together as a community.

Have any questions? Drop us an email at [email protected]

In episode 13 of The Beat Podcast we hear from Chief Constable Chris Noble who talks openly about designing and implementing the new local operating model, how we're responding to the Louise Casey report, as well as the steps we're is taking to improve and maintain standards following the recent HMICFRS inspection.

Hosted by Mike Lowe, Communications and Engagement Manager at Staffordshire Police.

Have any questions? Drop us an email at [email protected]

The first The Beat Podcast from Staffordshire Police of 2023 focuses on our #PhoneFree campaign.

#PhoneFree is one of four road safety campaigns as part of Operation Lightning, which aims to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on the roads of Staffordshire and to disrupt and deter criminals from using the road network.

In this podcast, from 01:40, we hear from PC Kiki Pilarczyk, from our Roads Policing Unit (RPU), on what steps drivers can take to make sure they are #PhoneFree while at the wheel and what actions RPU are taking to ensure drivers are not using mobile phones while driving.

From 18:45, you can hear from Roger Wetton, Forensic Collision Investigator, who talks about the role forensics have in investigating evidence in cases of mobile phone usage by drivers, how forensic collision investigations have changed over the last ten years and examples of incidents where a mobile phone has been used.

We hope The Beat Podcast helps to give you an insight into how we police and prevent crime in our beautiful county through the eyes of those on the front line.

Hosted by Manish Patel, Communications Officer at Staffordshire Police.

Have any questions? Drop us an email at [email protected]

The Beat Podcast from Staffordshire Police is back, this time with our new Chief Constable Chris Noble.

In this episode, we focus on Chris' vision for Staffordshire Police, his project operating model and plans for the future of the force as well as talking about some key moments in his career so far.

We also put the Chief's local knowledge to the test with a quiz all on all things Staffordshire.

Ever wondered how the police go about keeping your county safe or do you ever just want to know why we make certain decisions? Staffordshire Police has introduced The Beat Podcast to help give you an insight into how we police and prevent crime in our beautiful county through the eyes of those on the front line.

Hosted by Staffordshire Police's, Rachel Clarkson.

Have any questions? Drop us an email at [email protected]

The latest episode of The Beat Podcast from Staffordshire Police focuses on the career of Chief Constable Gareth Morgan ahead of his retirement after 33 years in policing.

In this special edition, we focus on Gareth’s route to becoming Chief Constable in Staffordshire and talk about some key moments in his career – including his time with the FBI at Quantico.

The Chief Constable also speaks openly about his views on the current state of policing, his plans for retirement and why he’d choose Mozart over Dolly Parton when stranded on a desert island.

Ever wondered how the police go about keeping your county safe or do you ever just want to know why we make certain decisions? Staffordshire Police has introduced The Beat Podcast to help give you an insight into how we police and prevent crime in our beautiful county through the eyes of those on the front line.

Hosted by former LBC reporter turned Staffordshire Police Communications Officer, Tom Bushell.

Have any questions? Drop us an email at [email protected]

In early 2021, 43-year-old Kenneth McDermid from Sneyd Green was convicted and sentenced after pleading to the manslaughter by diminished responsibility of 71-year-old Wendy Morse in March 2020.

After attacking and killing Wendy at her home in Knypersley, McDermid fled to Sweden. He was to be arrested in the country a few days later.

Today’s episode focuses on Staffordshire Police’s work with the Crown Prosecution Service and Swedish authorities. With help from DS Ian Fitzgerald and DC Rob Booth from Staffordshire Police’s Major Investigation Department, Hannah Sidaway from the Crown Prosecution Service, Pontus Bergsten from the Swedish Prosecution Authority and Andreas from the Swedish Police Authority we focus on the story behind McDermid’s arrest and the integral partnership work which led to his extradition.

Ever wondered how the police go about keeping your county safe or do you ever just want to know why we make certain decisions? Staffordshire Police has introduced The Beat Podcast to help give you an insight into how we police and prevent crime in our beautiful county through the eyes of those on the front line.

Hosted by former LBC reporter turned Staffordshire Police Communications Officer, Tom Bushell.

Have any questions? Drop us an email at [email protected]

Today’s episode revisits the challenges faced by victims of domestic abuse. In our second episode focusing on domestic violence, we cover topics ranging from the challenges of policing such incidents to how you can seek help if you need it. We’re joined by Detective Inspector Vik Ison from Staffordshire Police’s Safeguarding Team and Sarah Buckley from local charity, Glow.

Ever wondered how the police go about keeping your county safe or do you ever just want to know why we make certain decisions? Staffordshire Police has introduced The Beat Podcast to help give you an insight into how we police and prevent crime in our beautiful county through the eyes of those on the front line.

Hosted by former LBC reporter turned Staffordshire Police Communications Officer, Tom Bushell.

Have any questions? Drop us an email at [email protected]

Today's episode focuses on the world of recruitment, in particular highlighting our ongoing drive into recruiting for the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeships programme, or PCDA. We touch on what you can expect from the course and discuss how policing is a viable option for the seeking a career change. We’re joined by Year 2 PCDA students Gail Tolley and PC Ben Gooding, as well as Senior Cohort Leader, Rachel Jorden.

Ever wondered how the police go about keeping your county safe or do you ever just want to know why we make certain decisions? Staffordshire Police has introduced The Beat Podcast to help give you an insight into how we police and prevent crime in our beautiful county through the eyes of those on the front line.

Hosted by former LBC reporter turned Staffordshire Police Communications Officer, Tom Bushell.

Have any questions? Drop us an email at [email protected]

Today’s episode focuses on an unsolved murder case that has spanned half a century. On 27 March 1971, a body was discovered in a shallow grave beside the River Trent in Burton. 50 years on and the murder of “Fred” remains unsolved. We’re joined by DCI Dan Ison, who’s the Senior Investigating Officer having picked up the case in 2017.

Ever wondered how the police go about keeping your county safe or do you ever just want to know why we make certain decisions? Staffordshire Police has introduced The Beat Podcast to help give you an insight into how we police and prevent crime in our beautiful county through the eyes of those on the front line.

Hosted by former LBC reporter turned Staffordshire Police Communications Officer, Tom Bushell.

Have any questions? Drop us an email at [email protected]