West Lancashire’s new chief inspector is proud to back on the patch where he trained and says he is committed to keeping the place safe

Mar 31 2011 by Gemma Jaleel, Ormskirk Advertiser

WEST Lancashire’s new chief inspector has said that returning to our patch is like ‘coming home’.

Geoff Hurst, 45, who lives near Burscough, has been overseeing policing in Chorley for the past three months and has now been appointed to this new role.

Chief Insp Hurst told the Advertiser: “It’s like I’m coming home, this is where I started my service and I feel like I have a very strong bond with the area. I’m looking forward to the challenges the role will bring and I’m ready to meet them head on.”

Chief Insp Hurst joined Lancashire Constabulary in 1990 when he started his career on foot patrol in Skelmersdale. He was based there for 15 years and also spent time in Ormskirk, Coppull and Preston.

He also worked on the Force Major Investigation Team having responsibility for the cold case investigation team and more recently at headquarters where he was staff officer to Assistant Chief Constable Andy Cooke.

Last week, we reported the extent of the police cuts which will see the force of 12 community beat managers in Ormskirk reduced to just seven officers.

We also revealed that Ormskirk police station was under review as the force looks to reduce its sites in Southern Division from five to three and that all operations will be run out of Skelmersdale, Chorley and Leyland.

Despite this Chief Insp Hurst maintains that this will not effect the way he will police the area.

He said: “Crime is very low in West Lancashire and I’m determined to keep it that way.

“I’m also determined to work with the communities in West Lancs and deliver a service that is of very high quality.

“I’m a local fellow and I have a lot of family and friends in Up Holland and West Lancs and I’m committed to keeping this area a really safe place for people who work, live and visit.”

Chief Insp Hurst will take over the reins from Chief Insp Dean Holden who will move to the role of detective chief inspector in Eastern Division which covers Blackburn, Darwen, Hyndburn and the Ribble Valley.

“I will continue to develop the great work that Dean Holden has achieved over the last few years. I have spent the majority of my service in West Lancashire in both uniform and detective roles and I am delighted to be returning to these parts. My focus will be on keeping crime low and keeping people safe.”