Who are our local police officers, and what do they deal with day-to-day?

We've teamed up with North Yorkshire Police to introduce you to some of their officers. This semi-regular series will help you get to know them a little better.

This week... Sergeant Clare Crossan.

Where do you work and what is your patch like?

My area is York City and East. This encompasses the city centre with its tourism and nightlife, the surrounding suburbs to the south and east of the city and the more rural areas further south of York.

It is a diverse beat to police and there are different challenges associated with each area. I feel it is a real privilege to police such a beautiful and historic city as York.

What’s the best thing about your job?

The best thing about my job is that I come in to work not knowing what is going to happen that day. In my role as a response sergeant I am very much ‘front line’ and I enjoy the variety that comes with the job. I also enjoy having the opportunity to help run a productive and happy team.

What was your first arrest?

My first arrest was in the city centre for a man breaching his court bail conditions. I located him outside a building that he wasn’t allowed to be within 100 metres of.

And your most recent arrest?

My most recent arrest was a man who was being recalled to prison for poor behaviour. Despite him being taken back into custody, he was calm and compliant throughout.

Can you tell us about a funny incident that’s happened when you were on duty?

I remember an occasion when I was called to attend an intruder alarm at a school in York. I had been called there to a break-in the week before and the perimeter of the school was surrounded by high fencing and locked gates.

In my eagerness to catch the suspects in the act, I scaled a 10 foot gate to get in. I was joined by a colleague who casually opened the gate with me still at the top to speak to the apologetic caretaker who had triggered the alarm. I felt rather silly but it was a useful reminder not to make assumptions when arriving at an incident.

What one message would you most like to get across to the public?

I would like to discourage parents from telling their children that the police will tell them off or “take them away’”if they misbehave. It is important that children find the police approachable and would be willing to ask us for help if they need it.