Sue's on the beat, and she knows the manor

From the archive, first published Friday 13th Apr 2007.

A NEW top police officer with 20 years' experience under her belt is taking over the helm at Billericay and Wickford.

Insp Sue Heaton, who was working as an inspector on the neighbourhood response team at Grays, took up her new position last week.

The 41-year-old, who joined the force at 21, has worked across the county over the past two decades with stints in Harlow, Brentwood, Chelmsford, Basildon and Grays.

Her career has also seen her performing specialist duties such as working as a scenes of crimes officer where she had to attend rapes, murders and fatal road accident to gather vital forensic evidence.

But Insp Heaton is hoping her role as the inspector for both Billericay and Wickford is where she will really make a difference and improve life for residents.

She said: "I lived in Wickford for six years so I have got a real interest in the area and am aware of the local problems.

"I will be looking to deal with quality of life issues like antisocial behaviour. They are the sorts of crimes that really affect people and the more we can do to help people experiencing problems, the better it is."

Insp Heaton said another of her priorities will be improving contact between bobbies and local people.