Bolton’s newest District Commander is putting her foot down on road safety

Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley is taking over as the new District Commander for Bolton and is passionate about ensuring safety on roads throughout the district are safer.

Ch Supt Critchley will be working in collaboration with local partners, using data and listening to concerns of the local community to identify high harm routes and reach tangible solutions. There will be an increase in police presence on these roads to combat speeding and additional key causes of road traffic collisions. This is vital to decrease the number of road traffic collisions and to foster a safer environment on the roads.

Ch Supt Helen Critchley begun her career in Tameside in 2003. Her inspiration to join the police stemmed from spending summers working in a law firm and a desire to protect the victims that she saw involved in criminal cases and prevent them from being in that situation.

She was six months into her role, when she came across an armed robbery which motivated her to join the Serious Organised Crime Group with a specific focus on robbery. She has worked in a variety of roles across Force Intelligence and the Serious Crime Division. Recently, she has spent the last four years leading teams across the City of Manchester and Stockport undertaking both operational and detective portfolios.

Since taking up the helm of district commander of Bolton, Ch Supt Helen Critchley has began working with officers and partners to engage with the community to create a strong sense of unity within Bolton.

There have been several proactive road safety operations done throughout Bolton at key hot-spot areas with a high number of vehicle collisions. One of Ch Supt Helen Critchley’s main priorities for the district is to ensure a decrease the number of vehicle collisions in Bolton, and fewer road fatalities and injuries.

Through her leadership, neighbourhood teams will be engaging positively with communities and drivers to make roads safer for commuters. Getting people to take extra care on the road can help protect people.

Furthermore, Ch Supt Helen Critchley has set her sights on decreasing retail crime throughout Bolton. She has experience with working in the retail sector and has a deep understanding of the effect it can have on businesses. Tackling retail crime will allow communities to have a place to come together and build community cohesion.

Additionally, she has a wealth in knowledge in how to tackle, prevent and spot domestic violence. Bolton has recently become the best district in terms of arresting and charging more perpetrators of domestic violence and Ch Supt Helen Critchley is committed to further improving this and creating a safe environment for victims to come forward. Delivering better crime outcomes in this and other areas is essential to reducing the harm caused and sends a clear message to perpetrators that these behaviours will not be tolerated.

Chief Superintendent Helen Critchley said: “I am delighted to serve Bolton as the new district commander, there is a great sense of unity and positivity throughout the district that I am excited to be a part of.

“My team are vital to success, and I will be working hard to foster an environment for staff to be able to bring their ideas forward. Communities are essential to preventing and solving crime, it is my belief that the best policing work is done when the community get involved and we work together. It is important that the public keep an open dialogue and report any criminal acts to us and let us know what is happening in their area.

“If you see officers as they are out and about, say hello and remember we’re here to make the community safer for you.

“There are already plans in place to work closely alongside partners to tackle criminal acts that matter the most to you.”

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