A NEW chief has taken over policing in Manchester city centre.

Chief Superintendent Caroline Ball, who comes from the divisional commander post in Oldham, took up the job at Bootle Street last week and is overseeing a team of almost 1,000 officers.

The married mum-of-two, from Tameside, who has experience in plain clothes and uniform branches across the force, said: “The city centre is the front-facing part of my division and I see it as dynamic and challenging. We face big challenges like drink-related crime and keeping the growing community here safe and it's really important to me that we keep up momentum on all the initiatives going on and the close working relationship with the council.

“Out in the neighbourhoods, we have other issues such as anti-social behaviour, keeping the community engaged and gaining their confidence which are equally important and a different challenge again. There are a lot of high profile events to contend with and I think there's quite a professional set-up here already. I want to maintain and build on that.”

Chief Supt Ball replaces Gerry Donnellan, who managed UEFA cup final night, the English Defence League protest and a series of high profile terror arrests during his three years as commander of GMP's north Manchester division.

The division, which covers parts of east and north Manchester as well as the city centre, saw a 14 per cent drop in crime under Chief Supt Donnellan - who has moved to a new headquarters role which involves overseeing the force's burglary operation.

Rewarding

He cited the policing operation around the EDL protests in Piccadilly Gardens last October as a career highlight, adding: “I have a detective's background and have done some big jobs, including working abroad on kidnappings, but I can honestly say that was the most rewarding day in terms of the challenge and arrests.

“During my time in the city centre, I have seen a real move to all agencies working together and the change in licensing laws brought a 24-hour night time economy which has been challenging. And of course there was UEFA night, which I'll never forget.

“The division has a bunch of humble and gracious cops and I am leaving with many memories and a sense of pride for what we have achieved during my time here.”