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A beat police officer's devotion to his local patch was rewarded when councillors organised a surprise presentation to mark his retirement.  Picture shows Pc McCran receiving his beechwood bowl from the Chairs of the two Community Forums, Cllr Adrian Kitch and Cllr Stewart Bradford, watched by Insp Ian Palfreyman.
Pc Lawrence McCran thought he was attending a routine Community Forum meeting at Chesterfield Town Hall when he was "ambushed" by members of Holmebrook and Rother, and Walton and West, Community Forums.
He has been the local bobby on the beat, involved in policing both areas as community beat manager, since shortly after Community Forums were set up by Chesterfield Borough Council in 1999.  Picture shows Members of the two Forums with Pc McCran and Forum officers. Cllr Stewart Bradford, Chair of Holmebrook and Rother Forum, said: "'Mac has really thrown himself into community life in both areas, and has gone the extra mile to improve things for local people through his hard work, professionalism and dedication. The place is safer for him being with us"
Cllr Adrian Kitch, who chairs the Walton and West Forum, said: "He is one of the stalwarts of West Ward, one of the most approachable police officers I have ever had the pleasure of meeting".
Pc McCran set up a "Summer Sesh" programme of activities for youngsters during school holidays which proved an instant success, resulting in an immediate reduction in problems of crime and anti-social behaviour and which is now organised by local people in Holmebrook and Rother.
"The kids loved it, the parents loved it and now it is not only run by the local community themselves, it is entirely self-financing", said Cllr Bradford.
Tributes were also paid by Inspector Ian Palfreyman, in charge of Chesterfield Police's community beat officers, who said: "If there is anything to do in his area, Mac will sort it. He's made the area his own."
Pc McCran, who has been in the police for 22 years, 17 of them in Chesterfield, after leaving the Royal Army Medical Corps, intends to become a driving instructor after retiring from the force.
He was presented with a carved beechwood bowl made by a resident of one of the Forum areas that he served - and paid for from councillors' own pockets - as well as a subscription to the Association of Industrial Road Safety Officers, a mix of road safety professionals from various companies and regulatory bodies as well as driving instructors.
The surprise presentation was followed by meetings of both Community Forums, in different rooms of the Town Hall - and Pc McCran found time to call in on both!
Pc McCran, who retires at the end of the month, thanked Chesterfield Borough Council for the presentation and said of his time associated with the Forums: "I've thoroughly enjoyed it." |
