A DEDICATED police account team has been launched at Unique Creative Communications, further bolstering the agency's offering to the emergency services.

The move follows the recruitment of a second senior member of staff from the Greater Manchester Police Press Office.

Michelle Forsyth, formerly assistant head of the GMP Press Office, has followed Sarah Dean Forrester, formerly head of the GMP Press Office, into the Salford Quays agency.

The creation of the dedicated police account team is designed to complement the marketing and communications work the company does for numerous fire and rescue services and other public sector organisations across the country.

Ms Dean Forrester, who won an award for her media handling of the Dr Shipman investigation and trial, coordinates media training as well as helping to deliver media management, crisis communications, marketing, design and public relations services.

Ms Forsyth had been working as the Communications Manager at Salford Royal NHS Trust since leaving the Greater Manchester force.

UCC

Sonia Lewis, director of marketing and communications at UCC, said: "Our public sector client base has been growing over the last two years. More than 60 per cent of our marketing and communications work is across a variety of public sectors.

"I'm delighted to have appointed another highly experienced communications professional to strengthen our core team. Michelle will be great asset to both our emergency services and healthcare clients."

UCC have recently started to deliver the second consecutive year of specialised media training for senior detectives at GMP as part of the Senior Investigating Officers' Development Course, bringing the specialist police experience of Sarah and Michelle alongside that of former national broadcast journalists.

The company has also been working with Cheshire Police, developing a brand identity for a county-wide, alcohol-related crime campaign and last year created a multi-agency marketing campaign for Lancashire Police aimed at tackling anti-social behaviour.

UCC is part of the Unique Communications Group and its full range of services can be found at www.uniquecc.co.uk Tweet