St Helens

Area Commander: Chief Superintendent Robert Carden

I am Rob Carden, the Area Commander for St Helens. I am responsible for day to day policing in the area and I am committed to making your community a safer place to live, work and visit.

Information about St Helens

St Helens Police Area is divided into five neighbourhoods, each led by an Inspector. These neighbourhoods are :-

• Town Centre
• Parr, Sutton and Bold
• Rainhill, Thatto Heath, Eccleston and West Park
• Windle, Moss Bank, Rainford, Billinge and Seneley Green
• Haydock, Newton, Blackbrook and Earlestown

St Helens accounts for 13.1% of the total population of Merseyside with a total population of 177,400. Between 1981 and 2001 the population of the Borough declined by 12,408, however in recent years the population has stabilised. There are 72,697 households (2001 census).

The proportion of people from minority ethnic groups is estimated to be 3.4%. Following national trends in recent years there has been an increase in migrant workers, principally from Eastern Europe. The Travelling communities are the largest ethnic minority population in St Helens.

Although our overall position has improved, some pockets of severe deprivation remain. In terms of employment 32 super output areas in St Helens are ranked amongst the most deprived 10% of areas nationally (Indices of Deprivation 2007).

Area priorities

I've set the 2012 policing priorities for the area by working with local partners and more importantly, by listening to your concerns. These are:

• Reduce crime and anti-social behaviour
• Neighbourhood policing
• Tackle serious and organised crime
• Maintain public safety

The challenges posed by the current economic climate will not limit our commitment to delivering excellent policing in St Helens. I am delighted to have the opportunity to lead the policing team in this Area, and I am determined that we will work together with our partners and local communities to continue to reduce crime and anti social behaviour.

The vision for Merseyside Police is to 'Deliver Excellent Policing For The Communities Of Merseyside' and this forms the basis of this plan.

See the St Helens Annual Plan 2012/13 here