Thirty years on the beat

A police sergeant who organised community events for youngsters across the area has retired after 30 years’ service.
Police Sgt. Alan Studd (L), pictured with Chief Superintendant Simon Whitehead (R). Alan is retiring after 30 years service.
h316c448Police Sgt. Alan Studd (L), pictured with Chief Superintendant Simon Whitehead (R). Alan is retiring after 30 years service.
h316c448
Police Sgt. Alan Studd (L), pictured with Chief Superintendant Simon Whitehead (R). Alan is retiring after 30 years service. h316c448

Sgt Alan Studd, of Pontefract and Knottingley neighbourhood policing team (NPT), started his career with West Yorkshire Police in 1984 as a constable.

He helped set up the police’s Future Stars and Battle of the Bands talent contests for youngsters.

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Sgt Studd, 48, said: “I always wanted to be a police officer.

“It’s been a fantastic 30 years and I have literally been doing my dream job.”

Sgt Studd first started the West Yorkshire Police Battle of the Bands competition four years ago.

The event sees young musicians take to the stage and battle it out in a competition funded by money seized from criminals under the Proceeds of Crime Act.

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He also set up a youth club and go-karting sessions at Raceway Karting in Monkhill.

Sgt Studd added: “The community side of the job is what I love and I will be continuing with my projects as a volunteer.

“I can honestly say that the last six years of my career, where I have been doing this kind of work, have been the best.

“It’s about moving away from traditional police work as we know it and working with communities on other projects which, by their very nature, help reduce crime too.”

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After starting at the former Hemsworth police station, Sgt Studd moved to South Kirkby when that station opened in 1986.

He also covered Pontefract, Castleford and Wakefield as well as spending two years working in Leeds.

Sgt Studd added: “I’ve worked with some truly fantastic colleagues. I would like to thank everyone I’ve worked with. There are too many people to thank to be able to single people out.”

Insp Geoff Carter, of Pontefract and Knottingley NPT, said: “I have known Alan for 20 years. We’ve worked together as police constables and acting sergeants and he is one of the most dedicated police officers I’ve ever worked with.

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“He will be a real loss to the policing team in Pontefract but the fact he has vowed to carry on his community work in the area as a volunteer is a testament to the kind of person he is.

“He has been an absolute pleasure to work alongside.”