Over the last few weeks there have been several changes to staffing in South Cambs with some colleagues moving on to new pastures and some new (and familiar) faces arriving.

Chief Inspector Darren Alderson, Area Commander for South Cambs, has been successful in his application to join Her Majesties Inspectorate of the Constabulary and is now permanently seconded to the HMIC in the role of Superintendent.  Darren has lead South Cambs for two years and seen it through the difficult times of moving from our old structure to the new Local Policing Command that we have today.  All of us at South Cambs wish Darren well for the future and the important work that he is now undertaking.

Darren’s replacement as Area Commander is Chief Inspector James Sutherland.  James was previously in South Cambs as Safer Neighbourhood Manager and lead on the Operation Oaklands crime reduction initiative.  He is currently launching the SCSpeed Team, examining ways to tackle fly grazing, burglary reduction and focusing on implementing the force-wide improvements on better safe-guarding for victims of domestic abuse.

James’s replacement as Safer Neighbourhood Manager is Inspector Jon Hiron.  Jon is joining us from Cambridge City where he has impressed senior managers with his innovations in managing our response to safe-guarding, ensuring that the vulnerable are protected as well as a strong focus on individual victims of crime- making sure that they are receiving the best possible response from investigating officers. Jon will continue this focus in South Cambs. You will have the opportunity to meet Jon in person at the next round of local policing panels in the autumn.

Detective Inspector Ian Simmons has been successful in his application to the Major Crime Team.  Ian is now responsible for being the Senior Investigating Officer on the most serious crimes that take place in Cambridgeshire- a challenging and important role that we know he will excel in.

Ian’s replacement is Detective Inspector Simon Harding.  Simon is a vastly experienced investigator and in addition to spending considerable amounts of time in Cambridge City has recently been involved in investigating very serious cases of sexual exploitation in the north of the county- which you may have read about in local and national media. Simon’s knowledge of how to protect vulnerable people will be a great asset in South Cambs as we worth towards achieving the Force’s objective of improving our safe-guarding of the vulnerable.

Sgt Paul Rogerson who was was the local Sgt for the Histon area has received a temporary promotion and is now Inspector Rogerson- Force Duty Manager. This is a fantastic career opportunity for Paul and comes on the back of five years hard work keeping the people of South Cambs safe. During his time in South Cambs, Paul was responsible for spearheading our use of new social media- bringing about many innovations that have since been adopted by the rest of the force.  Paul’s work in tackling anti-social driving in Papworth and very problematic individuals causing ASB in Swavesey will be remembered by local residents for some time to come.

Paul’s replacement will be Sgt Mark Rabel.  Mark is a great replacement for Paul coming from a long back-ground in tackling ASB.  Mark has an academic qualification in ASB legislation and in a previous role was the ‘Street Life’ officer for Cambridge City- during which time he obtained the first ASBO for a habitual criminal in the City.  Mark will be leading in making sure that we make best use of the new ASB legislation that is coming onto the statute books in October.

Our Safer Neighbourhood Teams (responsible for 24/7 policing) have also had a shake up: some colleagues have received new postings out of the area and so  we have recently been bolstered by the arrival of Sgt Andrew Gaunt Warner- a very experienced investigator from major crimes, Sgt Rachel Ball from Cambridge City, Sgt Keith Curtis from Cambridge City and Sgt Andy Denzey whose hard work in South Cambs has been recognised in receiving this temporary promotion opportunity. Sgt Matt Hart remains with us in South Cambs providing some continuity on the Safer Neighbourhood Team.

Here at South Cambs we wish all our colleagues well on their new postings and look forward to working together to ensure that South Cambs remains a safe and peaceful place to work and live.