Dear residents and businesses of Saffron Walden,

We are writing this petition to request that PC Ryan McNamara, a dedicated and exceptional police officer, is more permanently stationed in our beloved town. It has come to our attention that he is regularly seconded to Southend or other towns in Essex, leaving us without his invaluable presence.

PC McNamara's contribution to our community cannot be overstated. Not only does he deter criminals with his unwavering commitment to law enforcement, but he also serves as an inspiration for our young people. His ability to integrate into our community has made him approachable and trustworthy, leading the public to confide in him about criminal activities. 

Over the years, PC McNamara has proven himself as an outstanding example of what a police officer should be. He goes above and beyond the call of duty, demonstrating his dedication and genuine care for the safety and well-being of Saffron Walden residents.

One particular instance that highlights PC McNamara's exceptional service occurred within our Business Improvement District (BID) Business Watch WhatsApp group. In this group, he has been instrumental in diffusing tense situations and providing crucial advice during criminal incidents that have posed threats not only to businesses but also shop owners themselves. 

One of the more recent occasions where Ryan has shown his commitment, was on Sunday 20th August. The manager from La Boîte cafe, reported a person smashing windows round the town on the BID Business Watch WhatsApp group. The person was under the influence and was suspected to be carrying a knife. Even though PC McNamara had finished his shift at 8pm and it was nearly 10pm, he ran into town and with the help of some brave members of the public, arrested this man. If it wasn’t for PC McNamara’s fast actions, this intoxicated, dangerous person would not have been caught.

We firmly believe that having PC McNamara stationed permanently in Saffron Walden will significantly enhance the safety of our town while fostering a stronger sense of trust between law enforcement officers and residents. By keeping him here consistently, we can ensure continuity in crime prevention efforts while benefiting from his extensive knowledge about local issues. As he is so approachable, the public are more inclined to speak to him about criminal activity. Over recent  years the lack of visible police presence in the town has left a lot of people feeling apathetic towards the police. The attitude of ‘what’s the point in reporting the crime… no one will do anything about it’ has been a very common phrase that we have heard from both the businesses and the public, time and time again. PC McNamara’s presence in our town has definitely helped with this.

Therefore, we kindly urge the relevant authorities responsible for police deployment decisions within Essex County Council or any other relevant governing body to prioritise keeping PC Ryan McNamara stationed in Saffron Walden. Let us come together as a community and show our support for this exceptional officer who has proven time and again that he is an invaluable asset to our town.

Thank you for your attention and support.

Sincerely,

Saffron Walden BID