And say hello to his replacement, Sgt Peter Nicholson
The team had issued an invitation to residents to drop in to meet the ward's new sergeant, Peter Nicholson, and say goodbye to Mick, who is leaving the Metropolitan Police after 30 years' service.
Mick has becomea popular figure around Parsons Green through his monthly emailed newsletter keeping people up to date with police activities. Most recently, he was able to reassure local parents over email rumours about child abductions.
Scotsman Mick says he has no plans for the future, apart from having a rest at home with his wife - and deciding where to put his retirement present from his colleagues, a picture of his favourite football team, Ross County from Dingwall in the north of Scotland, signed by all the players.
Peter Nicholson, who joined Parsons Green and Walham SNT early in October, says he is proud to take over from Mick and promises he will carry on the tradition of keeping in touch with local people. Hirst newsletter is coming soon.
In his last newsletter, Mick told readers: " I want to thank you all for your support over the last six years. Together we have definitely made an impact on crime and disorder in Parsons Green and Walham ward.
"Without your continued participation in our crime prevention efforts we could not have achieved as much. To put things into perspective, in the year prior to the Safer Neighbourhoods starting, Parsons Green and Walham ward suffered 215 residential burglaries. Last year the total was 81.
" I am pleased to announce that sergeant Peter Nicholson, the officer who will be taking over from me, starts on Monday October 4. Unusually, I will be able to spend my last two weeks with him so that I can pass on any experience I might have to him. Please support Peter as well as you have done for me over the years.
" Policing provision is certain to come under the spotlight in the current financial climate, and I suspect that Peter will be facing new challenges that I have been fortunate enough to have avoided in the main. He will continue to be ably assisted by the officers on the team.
" Thank you all once again for the very active parts you have played in making Parsons Green and Walham a much safer place to be. I will leave you with this thought: Criminals will always be there. By taking basic crime prevention measures to protect your home and car, you can impact on their ability to operate.
" In 1829 Sir Richard Mayne, in his capacity as joint Commissioner of the newly formed Metropolitan Police Force, said: ' The primary object of an efficient police is the prevention of crime: the next that of detection and punishment of offenders if crime is committed. To these ends all the efforts of police must be directed. The protection of life and property, the preservation of public tranquillity, and the absence of crime, will alone prove whether those efforts have been successful and whether the objects for which the police were appointed have been attained'.
" It makes absolute sense to me!
"Goodbye all. "
October 12, 2010
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