Redbridge police chief Sue Williams sad to leave
Det Ch Supt Sue Williams, the borough commander of Redbridge, was on duty the day of 7/7. - Credit: Archant
A departing police chief has spoken of her highlights after spending five years in charge of policing in Redbridge.
Borough commander Det Ch Supt Sue Williams, who spoke to the Recorder on her final day of duty on Friday, last week, is set to embark on a “new challenge” taking over policing in Tower Hamlets.
The police boss, who cites Redbridge as her “favourite place to work”, said one of the main highlights of her tenure has been developing “friendships” with faith and community groups.
“I have enjoyed a fantastic relationship with the partners here,” she said. “They have been challenging and held me to account, telling us when we haven’t got it right – it’s about working with these communities.
“They have become my friends, so I’m going to miss them all.”
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She added: “I’m very sad that I’m leaving Redbridge.”
Det Ch Supt Williams spoke about the borough going from “below average” to “the best” in the Metropolitan Police in terms of reducing MOPAC 7 crimes – which includes burglary, criminal damage and violent crime.
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The officer, who joined Redbridge from Waltham Forest, added: “We had a huge prostitution problem [in Redbridge] and we have worked hard with the communities and the street workers to bring it under control.
“Part of our understanding was that they’re not all victims as such – some people want to be there and it’s about how to support them. We also had a huge homelessness problem and we have learned a lot in how to deal with them too.”
The borough commander, who visited police forces in India last month, also spoke of highlights such as policing Redbridge during the 2011 London riots and the Queen’s visit in 2012.
She also spoke of the horrific crimes she has had to deal with.
She said: “There has been a number of tragedies, but out of them there is learning and I take it really seriously where there’s organisational learning that I can implement.”
