New police chief promises ‘outstanding service’ in Wigan and Leigh

Emily Higham was appointed as the borough’s district commander back in September as part of the “most ambitious senior recruitment process that has ever been seen in Greater Manchester Police”.

She has spent a significant portion of her career in detective roles.

After the force was placed under special measures last year for failing to report 80,000 crimes in the year to June 2020, a “huge investment” has gone into neighbourhood policing - with a district commander appointed in each region in Greater Manchester to focus on local issues, better understand community concerns and get “back to basics”.

Chief Spt Emily Higham with the Mayor Yvonne Klieve and other councillors and officers at Wigan Town Hall

With the district commander and the majority of the senior leadership team “born and bred” in the borough, Chief Spt Higham explained that the force benefits from having “really good knowledge” of the area and the issues communities face.

Chief Spt Higham said: “The only reason we moved away from the model [of district commanders] was austerity […] and police officers were being lost and the force needed to slim down.

“I absolutely agree that having someone at the top of the tree that is focused on the borough and engages with strategic partners and a structure underneath [will improve things].

“I can give visible leadership as I’m very present [in the community], and I'm definitely setting the strategic direction of the borough that is in line with the Chief Constable.”

Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police, Stephen Watson

This strategic direction includes a commitment to “delivering an outstanding service” across the whole force, which includes investigating and solving crime, responding to every emergency and incident, building trust and confidence within communities, and cutting down response time.

Delivering on this commitment, the Chief Superintendent believes, will bring Greater Manchester Police out of special measures – a reality that is said to “absolutely break [her] heart”.

Chief Spt added: “There is a real drive and passion to get GMP not just back on its feet but at the top of the tree – and I can tell you now that in Wigan and Leigh, we will be at the top of the tree.

“We will be out of special measures, without doubt.”

Greater Manchester Police were placed in special measure last year after 80,000 crimes were unreported

For Wigan and Leigh, the “areas of focus” for the Chief Superintendent and her team is tackling domestic abuse – something highly reported in the area – as well as anti-social behaviour, mental health issues and crimes within the night-time economy.

Fighting domestic abuse - and violence against women and girls more generally - is a particular “passion” for the district commander, who will lead the force on a number of campaigns and activities in order to raise awareness of this and stamp the crime out of our society.

Chief Spt Higham stated: “I’m a Wigan girl, I’ve grown up in this town and I know how it feels to feel a little bit intimidated when you’re walking home. I’ve also got a young daughter and it terrifies me [that she will feel unsafe on the streets].”

Working on domestic abuse for the majority of her career, the chief superintendent explained that she remains committed to making our streets safer – which can range from improving street lighting and CCTV, increasing the number visible police officers in communities and proposing protective laws and methods for victims.

More generally, the Chief Superintendent explained that there has also been investment in call handlers to reduce the waiting time of emergency calls in the borough, and while she encouraged residents to report all crimes, she advised people to use the 101 service or online Live Chat when an incident is not an emergency.

Chief Superintendent Emily Higham was appointed in September 2021 (Image: GMP)

With more resources and officers currently invested in Leigh than in Wigan, the chief superintendent confirmed that both areas of the borough will receive the same investment and commitment to tackling crime.

Chief Spt Higham said: “I did my probation in Leigh […] and I will spend 50% of my time in Leigh and 50% in Wigan, while a senior leader will always be working at Leigh Police Station.

“I think there is this perception that Leigh is not as looked after as Wigan, but from a policing response, Leigh has more than Wigan.

“My detective superintendent is a Leyther so she works predominantly at Leigh […] but it is about us getting out and being visible in both Wigan and Leigh.”

There will be a commitment to neighbourhood policing in both Wigan and Leigh, the Chief Superintendent confirmed

With Chief Superintendent Higham becoming the first female in her role since the nineties, in addition to her being the first female detective chief inspector in Bury and winning numerous awards for policing leadership and organised crime, she hopes her appointment and career can inspire women and girls that anything is possible.

She added: “I do hope I can inspire the next generation and ignite dreams for girls to work in the police force.

“I’m hoping that there will be some young girls out there that look and think, well if she can do it, anyone can.”