The Beat Podcast from Staffordshire Police

Do you know what a digital victim identification officer is? In this episode of The Beat, we go behind the scenes with our very own Digital Victim Identification Officer, Ashley Crowther, who is working at the forefront of online investigations. Ashley spends his days analysing digital media, such as photos and videos, to identify and safeguard victims of child sexual abuse and bring offenders to...

As part of our ‘change the story’ campaign, aimed at highlighting the impact of domestic violence and abuse, we are speaking to those who have been affected by DA, including those responsible, and people who work to support victims, perpetrators and their families. In this episode of The Beat, we speak to someone who once battled with his behaviour as he shares his honest reflections on what led t...

In this episode of The Beat, we explore one of the most hidden and devastating forms of child sexual abuse: intra-familial abuse which is the abuse of children by those within their family network. You’ll hear from “Susan” (not her real name), a woman whose children were targeted by a paedophile posing as a partner to another family member. Susan shares how the truth began to surface after a brave...

The third and final installment from our guest Special Sergeant, Matt Hickinbottom, we hear about how Covid impacted his role and outlook on his career. We also delve into how Matt sees his career progressing in the Specials and the opportunities available to new recruits joining Staffordshire Police. Focusing on our specials constabulary, we are sitting down with people across all levels of our t...

Episode two of our Specials mini-series of The Beat continues with Special Sergeant, Matt Hickinbottom. Focusing on our specials constabulary, we are sitting down with people across all levels of our team of voluntary officers, as they share their knowledge, expertise and tales of life in the force. If you want to read more about our specials constabulary, or if you’re interested in signing up, pl...

The third guest in our Specials mini-series of The Beat is Special Sergeant, Matt Hickinbottom. Focusing on our specials constabulary, we are sitting down with people across all levels of our team of voluntary officers, as they share their knowledge, expertise and tales of life in the force. Despite having only been in our ranks since 2015, Matt has worked on and off in policing roles for 25 years...

Episode two of our Specials mini-series of The Beat continues with Special Constable Kristian Roberts! Focusing on our specials constabulary, we are sitting down with people across all levels of our team of voluntary officers, as they share their knowledge, expertise and tales of life in the force. In Part Two, Kristian tells Josh Samuels about what it was like becoming a special in the middle of...

The second guest in our Specials mini-series of The Beat is Special Constable Kristian Roberts!  Focusing on our specials constabulary, we are sitting down with people across all levels of our team of voluntary officers, as they share their knowledge, expertise and tales of life in the force. Scotsman Kristian has been part of the specials for three years and juggles his voluntary duties in the fo...

Episode One of our specials constabulary mini-series of The Beat continues with our specials co-ordinator, Sue Bohanan! Focusing on our specials constabulary, we are sitting down with people across all levels of our team of voluntary officers, as they share their knowledge, expertise and tales of life in the force. In Part Two, Sue tells Josh Samuels the now-infamous story of how she used her expe...

We are launching an all-new mini-series of our podcast, The Beat! Focusing on our specials constabulary, we are sitting down with people across all of our team of voluntary officers, as they share their knowledge, expertise and tales of life in the force. Joining Josh Samuels in the first episode is Sue Bohanan, who currently serves as our specials co-ordinator. A beloved member of the Staffordshi...

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...

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...

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 Staffordshi...

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...

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 Staff...

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...

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...

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 po...

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 C...

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 o...

Today’s episode focuses on County Lines drugs activity in Staffordshire and the link to our children. We’re joined by DS Rob Taylor from force CID and DI Lucy Maskew from the Child Protection Exploitation Team. 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 g...

Today’s episode focusing on the county’s Integrated Offender Management team and the work they do to help prevent and reduce re-offending. We’re joined by Probation Officer, Kerry Wright, IOM Constable Lesley Webb and a woman who’s received the IOM’s assistance first hand. Ever wondered how the police go about keeping your county safe or do you ever just want to know why we make certain decisions?...

Knife crime is a community issue and it’s crucial that those at risk are aware of the support available to them. Staffordshire Police is just “one part of the jigsaw” when it comes to tackling the issue of knife crime and partnership work is key to ensuring young people aren’t drawn into a life of criminality. In this episode we’re joined by Kate Beardmore, a Youth Violence Officer at Staffordshir...

In September 2013, Joshua Ribera was at a memorial service for a friend in the West Midlands when he was stabbed. The 18-year-old was rushed to hospital – where he sadly died a day later from his injuries.  His mum, Alison Cope, has sat down with The Beat Podcast to discuss her memories of that day and has her say on what can be done to stop rising levels of knife crime. This episode sits in line...

Today’s pilot episode focuses on our major roads policing operation, Op Lightning. We ask Chief Inspector Mat Derrick and Sergeant Tony MacKenzie about the thought process behind a police pursuit, the importance of roads policing in stopping more serious crime and how operations get their name. Ever wondered how the police go about keeping your county safe or do you ever just want to know why we m...