Thornton Heath’s new police sergeant pledges to be ‘open and honest’ as he commits to making this area as ‘good’ as it possibly can be.

Sgt Andy Smith, has returned on promotion to the Thornton Heath beat where he first earned his police stripes as a Police Community Support Officer. He has already been in the thick of the action escaping injury only thanks to his pocket note book after a suspect’s dog bit him. 

“Myself and two of my PC’s spotted a suspected drug deal on the Retreat at Palace Court,” he explains. “After a short chase, the trapped male came towards me and went to grab a dog chain from around his neck. Thinking he was going to assault me with the chain I grabbed hold of him and his dog jumped up and bit the back of my leg. Luckily enough my pocket note book was in my back pocket and this took the brunt of the teeth, so no injuries.” The suspect was detained and the dog seized.

During the lockdown Sgt Smith has been out and about reacquainting himself with the three wards he is overseeing: Thornton Heath, Bensham Manor and West Thornton.

Thanks to community ward budget support from local councillors the SNT teams will be equipped with electronic push bikes enabling officers to respond to incidents even faster.

Sgt Smith, added: “For me I would like my teams to work on the offences that directly affect you; whether it be burglary, motor vehicle crime or drug related offences. I feel that these offences have a big impact on how safe you feel in an area and taking positive strides in making you feel secure and safe in the area you live should be our top priority.

“I would like to be as open and honest as we can be with you with an understanding that we are all invested in making this area as good as it can possibly be. Please contact us should you have any information on offences or CCTV footage that will help us investigate crimes.

“Thank you for reading and please come and say ‘hello’ when you see us out and about on the wards.”

Email Sgt Smith at:sntzd-thorntonheath@met.police.uk