Hopwood Hall

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 PS Tallis,
I joined the Middleton Neighbourhood Team in September 2025, bringing experience from various policing roles. With a background in response, Organised Crime Group (OCG) teams, and the Tactical Aid Unit, I have picked up skills throughout my career that now assist me in my current role. I find neighbourhood policing to be the most rewarding role, allowing for proactive measures to prevent crime and fostering strong community relations. Through active engagement and collaboration, I am committed to building community confidence and ensuring a safe environment for all residents.

I am PS Ockwell,

I joined the Heywood Neighbourhood Policing Team in April 2026, bringing experience from various policing roles.

I joined GMP in 1997, based at Salford, and then went onto be at a Neighbourhood Police Officer at Middleton before leaving to work at Manchester Airport between 2022 and 2026.

Whilst at the Airport I became the Sgt of the Policing team there before being moved back to the Rochdale area and onto the Heywood Team.

I have over 29 years experience in Policing and bring a knowledge of various departments and Policing skills.

I find neighbourhood policing to be a rewarding role, allowing for proactive measures to prevent crime and fostering strong community relations. Through active engagement and collaboration, I am committed to building community confidence and ensuring a safe environment for all residents.

I will encourage my officers to have a similar proactive approach to Policing and help make Heywood a safer and pleasant place to live

I have served with Greater Manchester Police for over16 years and currently work as the neighbourhood officer for Langley and Hollin. My role is to work closely with residents, businesses, and partner agencies to address local concerns and improve community safety.

My current focus includes tackling Anti-social behaviours, criminal damage, shopliftings, and supporting long-term problem solving within the community. I regularly attend neighbourhood engagement events and work with local partners to tackle the issues that matter most to residents.

I encourage members of the community to attend local meetings and share their concerns so that together we can help make our neighbourhood a safer place to live, work and visit.