Goldthorpe police recruit aims to prevent shop crime

NEW recruit Amy Mellor has set her sights on curbing high street retail crime after joining a police graduate scheme.

PC Mellor has been posted to Goldthorpe station as part of the two-year Police Now development programme.

The 22-year-old, from Huddersfield, had planned to become a teacher after studying English language and education in Manchester.

But while training, she found that being cooped up inside — either in a classroom or office — would bore her.

PC Mellor completed work experience with a neighbouring force, observing officers carrying out their duties, and realised she wanted to join the police.

“I wanted something different, where I could help people and work within communities where I could really make a difference,” she said.

“I see neighbourhood policing as completely essential to our communities and I’m really excited to continue getting stuck in.

“People want to see us out and about and we want to meet them, to listen to any concerns they may have and to let them know that we are here. I want to be that friendly face for them.”

Police Now recruits have six weeks’ intensive training in London before joining forces across the country.

Each has a mentor to shadow and must complete a “100-day impact project” focusing on a specific area of need in their community.

PC Mellor chose retail thefts and antisocial behaviour after hearing concerns raised by shopkeepers on Goldthorpe High Street.

“I’m looking at working closely with them at how we can work together to tackle thefts and antisocial behaviour in the area,” she added.

“I’ve also got plans to organise various community initiatives as well over the coming months.

“I think it’s really important that we work together, with members of the public, to most effectively tackle certain issues.

“I’ve got a fantastic team here and everyone is really lovely.

“They’ve all been so supportive and they all really love what they do and want to help and make a difference which I think is so important.”

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