East Middleton

Michael Barton is a Chief Inspector and Neighbourhood Lead for Rochdale Borough, bringing almost two decades of policing experience gained across complex and challenging operational environments in Northern Ireland and, more recently, Greater Manchester. He has extensive experience of leading people and policing activity in demanding environments, managing operational demand and driving improvements in performance and service delivery. Michael is focused on visible, problem-solving neighbourhood policing, strong partnership working and ensuring resources are directed towards the issues that matter most to local communities. His leadership approach is centred on delivering tangible outcomes, developing people and maintaining public confidence through effective, accountable policing.

Neighbourhood Inspector – Middleton and Heywood
Hello, my name is Graham Cooke and I am the Inspector for the Local Neighbourhood Police Team for Middleton and Heywood.
I have been a police officer for over 24 years, all of which has been spent on the Rochdale district in a variety of roles, however the majority of my service has been spent working as a neighbourhood police officer.
As a neighbourhood Inspector my role is to locally deliver GMPs vision of neighbourhood policing. This includes community engagement, targeted activity, enforcement and problem solving with our partners.
My current priorities include:
• working closely with colleagues to tackle anti-social behaviour
• investigating neighbourhood crime incl burglary, robbery, vehicle crime and shoplifting
• targeting the use of illegal off road and e-bikes
• targeting the manufacture and supply of controlled drugs

I am the Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant for the Langley, Hollins and Alkrington areas of Middleton. I joined Greater Manchester Police in 2018, I have previously worked as a Response officer, Neighbourhood Beat Officer and Authorised Firearms Officer, before becoming a Sergeant in 2024.
My team and I, are extremely passionate about making your community a safer, more appealing and prosperous place to live and work. By working collaboratively with partner agencies, we pro-actively tackle crime and anti-social behaviour. The information and concerns you raise with us, are imperative to ensuring we are concentrating our resources in the right areas, at the right times, in the right manner.

I am PCSO Vohra working for Greater Manchester Police and based at Middleton Police Station.

I have served with Greater Manchester Police for 23 years as a Police Community Support Officer.

My role is to support the local community and businesses in the area, and work closely with them, to address any issues of concern.

I am very passionate about problem solving and looking at the best solution to remedy the concern whether it is working with our partners or taking responsibility for the task at hand.

I regularly attend meetings in the community and run police surgeries, so I am accessible to the public.

As the area officer I would encourage you to attend these meetings so your voice can be heard, and we can as a force make our communities a great place to live.

Your dedicated officer

I have worked for Greater Manchester Police as a PCSO for 20 years in November 2026 and have served in Neighbourhood Policing for Middleton for the whole of my service and specifically Middleton West for over 18 years.

My role involves working closely with residents, local businesses, and partner agencies to address local concerns and low-level crime, to ultimately improve the quality of life for those who live and work in the area.

Current priorities we face include tackling anti-social behaviour, addressing local crime issues and supporting other agencies and colleagues with long-term problem solving within the community. I regularly engage with residents, schools, community groups, and partner agencies to identify concerns and develop effective solutions.

I am committed to building positive relationships within the community and encourage residents to share information and report crime where necessary, in turn, helping make a difference locally.

I have served with Greater Manchester Police for three years and currently work as a Neighbourhood Officer covering Middleton. My role involves working closely with residents, businesses, community groups, and partner agencies to address local concerns, reduce crime, and improve public safety.
My current priorities include tackling anti-social behaviour, addressing street begging, and reducing issues linked to substance misuse within the Town Centre and surrounding area. I am committed to long-term problem solving and work proactively with partners to deliver sustainable solutions that have a positive impact on the community.