New District Commander Sets Out Vision for Safer Communities

Residents across Castle Point and Rochford are seeing the positive impact of focused policing, with crime falling significantly over the past year. The districts have recorded a combined reduction of 930 offences—an 11% drop in Rochford and an 8.5% drop in Castle Point (as of May 2025).

Under the leadership of newly appointed District Commander, Chief Inspector Ganesh Rasaratnam, the past three months alone have seen some of the most encouraging results:

• Vehicle thefts down by 51%
• Robbery reports reduced by 58%
• Burglaries cut by 41%

Chief Inspector Rasaratnam, who joined Essex Police earlier this year from the Metropolitan Police, has made it clear that reducing violent crime and improving quality of life are his top priorities.

With a track record of tackling serious crime in Lewisham, south London—where he was part of a CID team that successfully reduced robbery and burglary—the chief inspector brings both experience and innovation to his new role. His use of public space protection orders and council-led behaviour contracts had already proven effective in deterring anti-social behaviour and vehicle crime in London, something he hopes to replicate in Essex.

The figures are very encouraging and I want to build on these successes and reassure our communities and businesses that my teams will do all they can to reduce further offending and work hard to improve the quality of life for our residents.

To ensure the public remains at the heart of policing, a mobile police station will soon be deployed across both districts. This initiative aims to bring officers directly into communities, offering a visible presence in hotspot areas and providing residents with easier access to report crimes and receive crime prevention advice.

By taking the service to the community, officers will be at the heart of the neighbourhoods.
Together with partners, we will show that we are listening and taking action to solve issues.

He is also calling on residents to become active participants in local policing.

I want the public to feel they are part of us, with real investment in what happens in their neighbourhood. That information you supply could be key to solving an issue in your area—and together we can see real results.

The senior officer who joined policing in 2015, brings with him a strong background in youth engagement, having led the largest police cadet group in London during his time in Newham, as part of his role as a Safer Neighbourhoods & Schools Inspector. He now plans to replicate that success locally by:

• Establishing a Young Persons’ Independent Advisory Group
• Launching a Cadet Corps
• Visiting schools to hear directly from young people

Anti-social behaviour is often seen as a young offender issue, and I want to work with our youths so they can vocalise their thoughts and be heard. I want them to be looked upon as good citizens, not as troublemakers.
I want everyone to feel they are part of us, the policing family, with real investment in what happens in their neighbourhood.

This summer, we are prioritising visible Neighbourhood Policing because that’s what local people tell us they want. For the third year, Operation Greenspace will increase patrols and community engagement in public spaces. The operation focuses on preventing anti-social behaviour and ensuring parks and open areas remain safe and welcoming for all. It means speaking to those present to highlight the need to be respectful whilst enjoying our parks.

If you would like to become a volunteer cadet leader, contact us.

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