'Dedicated' Kirklees police staff brought down criminal gangs and sexual predators after 'years of hard work'

Police officers and staff who snared sex offenders and smashed complex criminal gangs have been commended in a special ceremony.

The West Yorkshire Police staff were recognised for their dedication to duty 'going above and beyond' in the 2024 Kirklees Policing Awards, held at Dewsbury Town Hall.

Over 26 commendations were issued to police staff. One local resident, Timothy Bolshaw, was commended for assisting officers in a difficult arrest.

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The Deputy Mayor of West Yorkshire Cllr Alison Lowe attended the evening at which entertainment was provided by the Huddersfield Gospel Community Choir.

Among those honoured specialist staff investigating non-recent child sexual abuse who were commended by judges for operations including Tendersea and Tourway.

Convicted men were given more than a combined 500 years in prison for Operation Tendersea while Operation Tourway has resulted in 28 sexual predators being jailed for more than 400 years.

Detectives were also commended for a major investigation into drugs production which saw a large scale cannabis factory and firearms located in Huddersfield in December 2022 with nine men arrested and later jailed.

Individual officers recognised included two police officers who showed no consideration for their own safety to intervene in an ongoing assault in Huddersfield in which a knife had been used. The suspect was arrested for possession of a bladed article and a Section 18 intentional wounding and was later jailed for four years.

A PC who worked with specialist colleagues from the National Crime Agency to foil a complex counterfeit currency operation in Holmfirth was also commended. The joint investigation resulted in suspects being charged

Chief Superintendent Jim Griffiths, District Commander of Kirklees Police, said: “The sheer number of commendations awarded in our November ceremony really does emphasise the huge amount of work ongoing in this district to keep people safe.

“They also showcase many of the challenges which come with modern day police work in which our officers mount highly complex investigations into increasingly sophisticated criminality.

“Months and occasionally years of complex investigation using all the tools available to us have been required to crack some of these criminal gangs but the results at court speak for themselves.

“Commendations from judges for officers and staff who have won justice of victims of sexual offending, often committed many years ago, also speak volumes for the quality of the investigative work displayed.

“I want to thank all those honoured for their service and all other officers and staff working hard day in day out in Kirklees District. Their dedication to duty and selflessness remains humbling and heart warming.”

Awards on the night included:

Rebecca Taylor, DCI Ian Thornes, Shelly Brook, Becky Casstles.
In recognition of an excellent team investigation into non recent child sexual abuse in Batley in the 1980s which saw a suspect being charged with multiple sexual offences and receiving a significant custodial sentence of 17 years. The tenacity and support from the team secured justice for the victims and provided reassurance and confidence to other victims to report such offences.

Judge's Commendations also awarded to DC Clair Laycock, Richard Stead, Laura Prior, Hayley Nortcliffe

On conclusion of the case, His Honour, Recorder Jackson KC commended you for the comprehensive way in which this case was brought to court and for your hard work in building up a working relationship and trust with the victims so as to encourage them to remain engaged and obtain the justice they deserve.

DI Cath Shackleton, DS Leo Pearson, DS Emma Poole, DI Tal Laher, PC Dean Hemingway, PC Molly Hinchliffe, DC Callum Wallace.

For thorough investigations into three armed robbery offences in Huddersfield this year were weapons were used by the suspect. The initial investigation resulted in the recovery of an imitation firearm used during the offences and the suspect being arrested and charged with a number of robbery offences.

DC Haley Hall

In recognition of your dedicated commitment to your role working with vulnerable young people in Kirklees. For your caring, empathetic and understanding approach which continues to gain the trust and engagement of some of our most vulnerable victims.

Laura Prior

For her dedicated and professional approach and commitment to non-recent CSE investigations where your knowledge, expertise and flexibility have been instrumental in achieving excellent custodial sentences across a range of different historic operations.

DC Christopher Todhunter and DC Yvonne Brear.

For their excellent investigation into a serious sexual offence on a woman in April 2021 where despite some investigative challenges they presented an evidential case to CPS resulting in a dangerous sexual offender being charged and subsequently sentenced to six and a half years.

A Judge's Commendation for DS James Rudge, Marilyn Stimpson, Simon Thomas, Joanne Stringer, Martin Garfield, Emma Bowden, Chris Piggin.

For their dedication and tenacity in investigating non recent child sexual abuse in parts of North Kirklees under Operation Tourway. On conclusion of the case, His Honour Judge Phillips KC commended you for the comprehensive way in which this case was brought to court.

Police Sergeant Stuart Clarke

For his continued professionalism and dedication in all the roles he holds in policing including as a well thought of supervisor within the Dewsbury NPT and for his enthusiastic support of other commitments such as the Kirklees Cadet programme which continue to run effectively and efficiently.

Police Sergeant Caroline Loran

For your management, guidance and effective supervision of scene management and uniformed police deployments at the scene of the murder of a teenager in Huddersfield in February 2023. On this occasion you led from the front, looked after your team and briefed those who needed it whilst maintaining scene management.

PCSO Mohammed Tariq

For his passion, commitment, dedication and tenacious attitude to all aspects of his role. He went above and beyond in investigating commercial burglaries in Lindley, conducting extensive personally conducted enquiries which led to a suspect being identified and arrested.

Police Sergeant Khalid Sadiq

For his actions in managing a very complex scene at a particularly serious offence and going above and beyond to look after his staff’s welfare while maintaining the integrity of the scene.

Mr Timothy Bolshaw (member of the public)

For stopping and offering your assistance to two off duty police officers who were detaining a shoplifter. Without thought for your own personal safety you went to assist, whilst many others stood around watching or even demanding the suspect be released.

DI Dale Sawdon, DS Richard Grace, PC Rachael Greatorex, PC Simon Kingdon, PS Angela Francome, PS Alexander Wilson, PS James Fairnington, PC Amir Ahmed, PC Jonathan Wright, Mark Jones.

For their work and dedication in pursuing offenders. Thanks to their work in partnership with the CPS and the Probation Service a dangerous offender was removed from Kirklees District and jailed.

PC Jonathan Eeles, PC James Wild

For their quick thinking and courage in detaining a knife-brandishing suspect seen chasing another man on the streets of Huddersfield. The officers put themselves in harm's way to protect other members of the public, and used Taser to red dot and subdue a violent suspect.

PC Gemma Johnson, PC Holly Bennett, DS Carolyne White

For their investigation of a horrific sexual assault in Cleckheaton and work to safeguard the victim. The offender was brought to justice and recently given a life sentence for the offence.

Judge's Commendation for Shellie Harrison, Simon Thomas, Joanne Stringer, Marilyn Stimpson, DS James Rudge.

A commendation from His Honour Judge Marson KC commended you the comprehensive way in which Operation Tourway this case was brought to court.

DS Leigh Bamford, PC Ruby Schofield, PC Kelly Harrison.

For their professionalism and dedication to pursue offenders. Your early investigative actions resulted in a sex offender being arrested, charged and later jailed

PC Samuel Denison, DC Liam Rye.

For their investigation into a violent robbery in Huddersfield in March 2023 in which a woman was assaulted and then dragged after a man stole her car. Their professionalism and diligence led to a suspect being identified and arrested. The excellent standard of the initial response and investigation led to him pleading guilty due to the thoroughness of the technical evidence amassed against him.

Police Sergeant Aaron Stoney, PC Michael Holmes.

For their bravery in acting with no consideration for their own safety in intervening in an ongoing assault in Huddersfield in which a knife had been used. The suspect was arrested for possession of a bladed article and a Section 18 intentional wounding as the victim had been stabbed in the neck. The outcome was 4 years in prison with a guilty plea.

Acting Sergeant Gavin Connor

For his police work in a joint operation between West Yorkshire Police and the NCA Counterfeit Currency Office into a large scale counterfeit currency operation in Holmfirth. Over a period of two years, he meticulously gathered evidence and worked with other government agencies and experts to secure convictions for two defendants who pleaded guilty in court with sentencing taking place in December 2022. One of the men was jailed for six and a half years while the other received a two year suspended sentence.

DC Callum Watson, Linda McFarlane

In recognition of their tenacity in investigating an armed robbery at a Huddersfield store in May 2020 which led to complex enquiries conducted across West Yorkshire. Suspects were identified, arrested and later jailed for sentences of between five and seven years.

DS Emma Poole, DC Laura Allen, DC Jordan Bowyer, DC Joshua Holroyd, DC Daniel Ashton, DC Eleanor Welch, DS Nicholas Odunze

For their work to uncover and then investigate a major cannabis factory in Huddersfield in 2022. An operation on December 13, 2022 saw officers execute a warrant at a large warehouse in the centre of town and locate an extensive cannabis grow and firearms. Nine men were arrested and thanks to the complex investigation which followed, later pleaded guilty at court and received significant sentences.

PC Jennifer May

In recognition of your dedication and resolve when dealing with a serious incident which could have resulted in significant injury and damage due to the defendant’s actions. Through her determination and persistence, an extremely dangerous offender to justice and sentenced to 16 years.

PCSO Christopher Stead

For his passion, commitment, dedication and tenacious attitude to all aspects of his role. He is a well thought of and respected member of his NPT, is vastly experienced and respected by everyone both in and outside the organisation who assists both internal and external partners with the highest levels of professionalism.

PCSO Thomas Taylor

For going above and beyond to apprehend a dangerous offender and putting himself at risk in doing so while responding to reports of an armed robbery in Greenhead Park, Huddersfield in June 2023. PCSO Taylor observed and then pursued the male, summoning colleagued and then acting to detained him himself.

A Judge's commendation for Judge's Commendation for Hayley Nortcliffe, Kay Boyd, DC Clair Laycock, DC Joanne Sutcliffe, DC Claire O’Donnell, Richard Stead, Laura Prior, John Brooksbank, Lee Foster, Gerald Radcliffe, Stuart Milner, Cait Gomersal

A commendation from his Honour Judge Khokhar commended you for involvement, commitment, skilful investigation and the sensitive way you dealt with and supported the victims and families during the course of Operation Tendersea.

Mike Green

In recognition of his professionalism and support to officers, staff and communities in Kirklees over several years.

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