Top cop vows to work with community in war on crime

GORSEINON'S new police chief has vowed to take a back-to-basics approach to law and order in the town.

Council estate-raised Sergeant John Ireland has taken over from outgoing top cop Dean Evans. The 47-year-old former Metropolitan Police officer said he planned to put his 27 years' experience in the force to good use.

He said: "For more than two decades I worked as a response officer, being in the heart of the community. I will draw on these experiences, and I want my beat managers, constables and support officers to work closely with people in the community — from local councillors to residents."

Sergeant Ireland, originally from the Sketty Park area of Swansea, joined the Met in 1981 — working on some of the toughest beats in the nation's capital.

In 1994, he came back to Wales, working as a community officer for South Wales Police. During his time with the force, he has worked on everything from drugs raids to helping out with police-organised football tournaments for youngsters. He was made Gorseinon's new police sergeant last month, with Sergeant Evans taking over community policing in Sketty.