North Heywood

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 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 am PCSO Stewart from the Heywood Neighbourhood policing team.

I have served in my role for 9 years, I joined the Heywood team in March 2026, after moving over from the Kirkholt and Wardleworth beats.

My role is primarily focused on community engagement, reassurance and maintaining high visibility patrols, whether on foot or pedal cycle.

I actively engage in problem-solving and strive to keep strong community contacts.

I am PCSO George, I joined GMP in Sept 2006 and worked at Heywood since.

My main duties include applying for court orders, problem solving and community engagement activities.

Heywood is a better and safer place when we all work together to make a difference, this includes residents, police, partner agencies and local businesses.

I am PC Ash Marsden, I joined GMP in October 2017 and have over nine years' policing experience. I initially served on Response Policing covering Middleton and Heywood before transferring to Lancashire Constabulary in 2020, where I worked in both Immediate Response and Neighbourhood Policing. I recently returned to GMP and have been posted to the Heywood Neighbourhood Policing Team.

I am an extremely proactive police officer, and I am passionate about targeting the most prolific offenders, with a keen interest in vehicle crime and road safety. I find Neighbourhood Policing an extremely rewarding place to work and I enjoy working closely with partner agencies and local communities to find long term solutions to local problems.

Hi, I’m PC Peverley, one of the officers on the Heywood Neighbourhood Policing Team.

I joined GMP in 2024 and moved to neighbourhood policing in 2026 after working on investigations in Rochdale. I’m passionate about building positive relationships, listening to local concerns and helping to make Heywood a safe and welcoming place for everyone.