New sergeant speaks to Parish Council
2nd of October, 2026
Andy Holian, installed as sergeant in Saddleworth earlier this year, spent time at Saddleworth Parish Council this week. Speaking to councillors about his role in the community, and what he wanted to add to the area.
With 22 years service in the police, all spent in Oldham, Andy jumped at the chance to work in Saddleworth when the role was available. He told the councillors that it was “the area I’d most enjoyed when I was working, so I really threw myself at the role.” His visit coincided with a particularly improved month for reported crimes across Saddleworth, around a third lower than previous months. Seargeant Holian said that one of the things he had immediately introduced to the area on his arrival was more use and integration of police services to the area.“We have a community speed watch team, who were operating out of a shed. They are absolutely a part of our team, so I immediately moved them into the station. Speeding is the most reported crime in our area, and they are really important in showing people that we take that seriously.”He has also opened up the station to teams working across the area, and has encouraged road policing training teams to use Saddleworth to practice in. This increases the visibility of the police teams across the area and helps to give people more confidence that there are police in their communities. Councillors questioned the sergeant on introducing speed cameras at dangerous locations, such as the crossroads in Denshaw; how to get more information to officers; and what his priorities were for the area.He was clear that issues around Dove Stone reservoir were a priority, and that he was looking to ensure more involvement from the community with the RSPB, who now control the car park and the whole area. He is also looking to establish a public space protection order (PSPO) to cover the reservoir – the current one only covers the land around it – to reduce the chances of future fatalities from people carelessly swimming in the waters. Parish Council Chair Barbara Beeley said: “The Parish Council is really grassroots level politics – where we help to build our communities. That’s what good neighbourhood policing does as well, and we’re delighted to have seen Sergeant Holian not just at our council meetings, but out at local community groups, being visible and learning about what makes Saddleworth special. These relationships are vital to ensuring Saddleworth can continue to see lower levels of crime, and make sure people feel safe in our area.”
New Sergeant