Another award for supercop

He's every crook's worst nightmare - the “supercop” sergeant who has made more than 1,000 arrests over the last 18 months.

SUFFOLK: He's every crook's worst nightmare - the “supercop” sergeant who has made more than 1,000 arrests over the last 18 months.

Today, Suffolk police's Ali Livingstone is officially Britain's most prolific bobby after making 524 arrests between April 2008 and March 2009, according to figures released after a Freedom of Information Act request by industry magazine Police Review.

The 27-year-old, nicknamed “arrest machine” by colleagues, says he has already handcuffed 610 people since that period - compared to a national average of just nine a year.

If he reaches 800, which is likely, his arrest rate will go up to more than three a day.

Sgt Livingstone, who joined the force at 18, said he sometimes makes eight or nine collars in one shift.

Revealing his trade secrets, he told Police Review: “Get to know criminals, even when you are not dealing with them because you never know when your paths might cross again.

“And do not be afraid to talk to people. We are paid to be suspicious.”

He said it also pays to know your law and the powers available to coppers on the streets.

“Police officers have to be confident about the power they have,” he said. “If you are confident about them and use them, you will up your arrest rates.”

Matt Gould, chairman of the Suffolk Police Federation, said: “He lives and breaths the force.”

Earlier this year, Sgt Livingstone was honoured by the Royal Humane Society after he risked his life saving a suicidal who tried to jump from the Willis car park.

The heroics in August last year, which also earned him a Stars of Suffolk Award, was caught on CCTV and exclusively revealed by The Evening Star earlier this year.

Have you been on the wrong end of Sgt Livingstone? Write to Your Letters, The Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or send us an e-mail to eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk

THREE Suffolk police officers are today in line for a prestigious national award.

They will be joining their counterparts from across the country for the 2009 Jane's Police Review Gala Awards in London next Wednesday.

Pc Phil Hilton has been shortlisted for a Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of 31 years dedicated service.

Despite working on specialist departments in roads policing since 1998, the force says Pc Hilton's community contribution has remained consistent.

Pc Matt Paisley, who has been an integral part of the Babergh East Safer Neighbourhood Team, is up for an honour in the Community Police Officer of the Year category.

A force spokesman said: “He is a model officer for anyone aspiring to a community officer role.”

Pc Lorraine Spall has been nominated in the Community Support Officer category for the work she does with schools in Felixstowe to prevent teenage assaults, bullying and absenteeism.

For more information on Jane's Police Review Awards, visit www.janes.com/events/awards/policereview.