Leek residents will have the chance to discuss policing in the town with their local neighbourhood commander at an upcoming event.

Staffordshire Police covers an area totalling 1,047 square miles, which is split into ten smaller individual areas. Each of these areas is led by a local commander.

In the Staffordshire Moorlands local policing team (LPT), Chief Inspector Karen Cooke is responsible for policing and tackling crime in the district.

She has 25-years of policing experience and previously worked as a custody manager in the north of the county.

Ch Insp Cooke said: "The LPTs priorities are to ensure a better service for Moorlands residents, attending incidents quicker and delivering better outcomes.

"One of my biggest priorities is to build confidence in the police service through our professionalism, conducting high-quality investigations and protecting our communities from harm."

Ch Insp Cooke and officers from the LPT will be holding a 'walk and talk' event on Saturday 17 September, meeting on Market Place in Leek Town Centre from 11am to 12pm.

It will give local residents the opportunity to come together to meet the commander and local officers and walk around the area to discuss any concerns or ask any questions.

In addition, they will be hosting a drop in Q&A session on Tuesday 13 September at Morrison's in Leek, from 11am to 1pm.

For those who are unable to make it in person, there will be a virtual Q&A, taking place on Tuesday 13 September from 6pm to 7pm.

Questions can be submitted in advance with Ch Insp Cooke and colleagues responding to queries in real-time. Details of the chat will be shared closer to the time.

Ch Insp Cooke said: "It is vital that we are visible and reach out to our residents to understand their concerns and offer solutions as to how we can deal with the issues that really matter to them.

"I am looking forward to meeting as many people as possible over the next few weeks and embedding in the local community so we can work most effectively with the public and partners to make the people of Staffordshire Moorlands feel safe."