I am Inspector Chris Sutcliffe and I have recently been appointed as the inspector responsible for Stretford and Longford West.

Although I have geographic responsibility for these areas I will also be working with my uniformed and detective colleagues covering the wider Trafford area.

I have recently moved to the Trafford area after spending the past three years working as a custody sergeant based in Stockport.

Prior to this, I was both a police constable and sergeant working in Wythenshawe.

I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to police Trafford.

It is an area very close to my heart having grown up in Urmston and Flixton, where I attended Wellacre High school.

I later went on to study at Wellington Sixth form in Timperley and lived for a short time in Altrincham.

It’s an area I know well and know how much the area means to you as a community.

I have been in post for a little over a month now, and I have already been impressed by both the commitment and enthusiasm of the local teams, who clearly take great pride in policing this great area and serving you in your communities.

I also look forward to working with you over the coming months.

On a positive note, the snow and cold weather of the past month appear to be a thing of the past and with spring fast approaching we can all look forward to longer nights, brighter mornings and warmer days.

For policing this can sometimes mean an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour and an increase in burglary and theft-related offences.

I would encourage you as a community to assist us in our response to this by reporting all issues of anti-social behaviour and criminality to the police.

My colleague, Inspector Lockett, recently provided some crime-prevention advice that residents can take to reduce the risk of burglary, these are especially important as the warmer weather returns so I am mindful to repeat them:

• Ensure that all windows and doors are locked and secure, especially when you are out of the property

• Not having keys or valuables on display in windows or near to access points such as doors or letterboxes

• Using your alarm or security system if you are out of the address

There has also recently been media attention on the new approaches that criminals are using when committing vehicle crime.

The advancement of technology has meant that manufacturers are needing to evaluate the security systems that they offer on new vehicles.

However, most vehicle crime is still preventable.

The best way to protect your belongings is to lock your car whenever you leave it. Other things you can do include:

• Removing everything from the car; don't even leave a jacket where it can be seen

• Closing the sunroof along with the windows when you leave

• Not storing things in the boot; take them with you

• Storing car ownership information in your home, not your car

• Having a routine to ensure you always take the keys out of the ignition

• Taking removable stereos and sat nav equipment with you

• In addition, using secure (theft resistant) number plates can make your plates less attractive to thieves

This list is by no means exhaustive and should residents feel they need more specific crime prevention advice then please contact your local policing team.

Details can be found on the Greater Manchester police website, or via contact on traffordnorth@gmp.police.uk.

Should you prefer to call us then please use 0161 856 7655