New
Ross Boss Nails Colours To Mast
Police
teams across South Herefordshire have a new skipper at the helm of policing
operations and he has already made big inroads in addressing anti-social
behaviour problems on his patch.
Inspector Jim McLaughlin, based at Ross-on-Wye Police Station, has been
in post for a couple of months and is delighted to be the Geographic Commander
for South Herefordshire.
Born and raised in Kilmarnock, he saw service as a Colour Sergeant in
the Scots Guards, before joining West Mercia Constabulary in 1988. He
has served at Worcester and police stations throughout Herefordshire,
as well as in specialist roles at HQ.
With a reputation for delivering no-nonsense, practical policing, the
tough-talking Scot is highly respected amongst his colleagues. Married
with three children, Jim lives within the area he now commands.
In a statement to the media, Inspector McLaughlin laid out his stall,
clearly defining where his priorities would lie. These priorities are
based on what local people feel most at risk from.
He said, 'On arrival, my first task was to reduce the levels of anti-social
behaviour and general nuisance in Ross. I see parental responsibility
as being a key factor in resolving this. Where my officers found juveniles
behaving anti-socially, they were taken home and the issues addressed
with their parents. I work on the 'educate, then legislate'principle.
If offenders don't heed the first warning, they won't get a second chance
with me. I won't tolerate a few individuals spoiling everyone else's enjoyment
of this lovely town.'
By involving parents in the process and taking a robust stance with those
who don’t take the hint, police have seen a huge fall in the levels
of anti-social behaviour in Ross-on-Wye in the past two months.
He continued, 'I also intend to target those criminals who enter the county
to commit crime, particularly via the A40/M50 corridor. Making full use
of our two Divisional ANPR-equipped vehicles, which can scan number plates
in seconds, at every possible opportunity, my aim is to deter travelling
criminals from entering Herefordshire in the first place.'
'Another high priority for me is to target those people who manufacture
or sell drugs in the area. Illegal drugs are the scourge of modern society
and they have no place in South Herefordshire. Drug dealers be warned
- we're on your case!'
'Finally, I wish to see Local Policing in Ross, Ledbury and the Golden
Valley flourish still further, with police officers and CSO's developing
even stronger links with all those we serve. I really want the people
of South Herefordshire to feel safe in their communities and for them
to have a satisfaction and confidence in the police of which we can all
be rightly proud.'
