St Albans: Hertfordshire police appoint new chief inspector

Martin Turpin took over from Ady Lysak last month (August 2023), and brings 24 years' experience to the role.

After growing up in Hertfordshire, CI Turpin initially trained to be an accountant in London, but did not enjoy the job.

Looking for something more rewarding, he joined the police in 1999.

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The chief inspector has worked across several departments since joining the police, including professional standards, intelligence, workforce development, and the Force Communications Room (who take 999 and 101 calls).

Highlights include taking responsibility for the constabulary’s initial response to a terrorist incident and being on duty when the Olympic torch came to Hertfordshire, prior to the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

CI Turpin was also at work during the visit of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

He commented: "I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my policing career and have had some amazing experiences.”

Outside of policing, he enjoys being outdoors and travelling, having recently visited Vietnam and Cambodia.

He has climbed Mount Kilimanjaro and Everest base camp, along with completing 15 marathons and several ultra-marathons.

These have included 50 and 100-mile running races over 24 or 30 hours

He will now lead around 150 officers and staff across three of Hertfordshire Constabulary's Safer Neighbourhood teams (St Albans, Harpenden and London Colney), five Intervention/Response teams, the Community Safety Unit, Scorpion Team, volunteers and the Local Crime Unit.

Speaking of his appointment, chief inspector Martin Turpin said: “I’m really pleased to take on this role.

"I will continue to build upon the excellent work to date to reduce crime and reoffending and safeguard those who are vulnerable within our communities - ensuring St Albans district remains a safe place to live, work and visit.

“I’d like my teams to be further involved in activities for young people through schools and colleges so that they have a positive relationship with the police through sport or the police cadets.

CI Turpin has completed 15 marathons. (Image: Hertfordshire Constabulary)

"It’s really important for young people to see positive role models and make the right decisions in their lives.

"Being highly visible, partnership working and officers engaging with their communities is vital in helping us reduce crime and anti-social behaviour.

"We need people to talk to us about issues they are experiencing so we can help.

“Another key area for us to work on is focusing on improving safety for women and girls, something we are prioritising as a force.

"We will soon be launching a new proactive initiative in St Albans, to provide enhanced safety to women and girls within the night-time economy.

"We also continue to see an issue with thefts from motor vehicles – and frustratingly, many of these could be prevented by owners simply removing personal, and sometimes valuable, items and securely locking their cars.”

Speaking of his initial thoughts on policing in St Albans, Martin Turpin continued: "I was immediately impressed with the dedication of police officers and police staff across the St Albans district.

"They are determined to help people when they have been a victim of crime, in mental health crisis or dealing with ongoing anti-social behaviour. Whatever the issue, my officers are here to help.

"With the unseasonal weather, it is hard to believe that the clocks go back next month, but unfortunately that is when we tend to see an increase in burglaries.

"We have robust plans in place to try and prevent burglaries as no one wants to be a victim.

"We also increase overt and covert police patrols and the safer neighbourhood teams carry out a number of crime prevention events across the district.

"A lot of the crime prevention advice is simple – securely lock windows and doors, consider investing in CCTV or doorbell cameras and use timer switches when you are not at home.

“Another way you can help reduce crime is to act on the crime prevention advice in our OWL (Online Watch Link) at www.owl.co.uk/herts or download the ‘crime alerts’ app."