LEE TATTON FROM TRENTHAM SHOCKS COMMUNITY IN STOKE-ON-TRENT AND STAFFORDSHIRE

In February 2021, residents of Trentham and the surrounding areas in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire were left deeply disturbed and outraged after learning that Lee Tatton, a former police officer, had been released early from prison despite his serious criminal convictions involving child abuse images and inappropriate conduct.

Lee Tatton, aged 54, who gained some public notoriety as a participant in the fly-on-the-wall documentary series 'Cops UK: Bodycam Squad,' has now returned to his community in Trentham after serving a six-month sentence. His release has sparked a wave of concern among local residents, many of whom have expressed their fears and frustrations about his presence in their neighborhood.

Tatton was convicted of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child and of possessing four indecent photographs or pseudo-photographs of minors. His arrest was carried out by the force’s Operation Safenet team on December 10, 2019, and he was subsequently suspended from duty. The case was brought before Birmingham Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty on September 1, 2020, and was sentenced to six months in prison. Staffordshire Police dismissed him without notice for gross misconduct on September 21, 2020.

Despite his criminal record, Tatton was released early from prison, a decision that has caused widespread concern among the local community. Many residents, especially those living on his street, have initiated a petition demanding that he be relocated. The petition, which has garnered signatures from approximately 150 residents, calls for Tatton to be moved out of the neighborhood, citing safety concerns and the inappropriate proximity to children’s parks and a primary school.

One local resident expressed her distress, stating, “It’s just horrible and very unsettling. We live in a nice area but this is awful. There are lots of families with at least 25 children in this street. The police didn’t even tell us he had been released. The house also overlooks a children’s park, and we are within walking distance of a primary school. I want him moved out of our street. Some people around here won’t have a clue that he’s even out of prison, and people need to know.”

Another resident, who described the community as once being close-knit and friendly, voiced feelings of betrayal and fear. “Our street was a lovely place to live with friends and neighbors all around us, but this has shocked us to the core. Lee was a friend and neighbor, someone we trusted and looked up to as a police officer. I really feel let down by the police for allowing him to live here as though nothing has happened. I feel like a prisoner in my own home, always looking over my shoulder. It’s not comfortable anymore, and it’s not right. I cannot let my son have the freedom and independence he deserves, especially with the park behind his house overlooking his home.”

Similarly, another resident from Stoke-on-Trent expressed disbelief and concern. “I used to love living on this estate, and we’re a very close-knit community. Finding out we have a convicted paedophile living among us has shocked us all. We have a young child, and even when lockdown is lifted, we will feel very restricted. We’re too anxious to let the children play in the street or visit the park, knowing that the back of his property overlooks the area where children used to play. I cannot believe that someone our children are brought up to trust has abused his position as a police officer and was released less than three months ago into the community.”

Staffordshire Police dismissed Tatton from his position in September 2020, following his arrest and subsequent conviction. His case has attracted significant media attention, partly because of his previous role as a police officer and his appearance on television. During his time in the force, Tatton was involved in various community activities, including participating in the documentary series, which aimed to showcase the work of police officers in Staffordshire. The show featured incidents such as rescuing individuals from a flat fire and breaking up a brawl outside a pub in Hanley.

However, his criminal conduct has overshadowed his previous public service. The community’s reaction underscores the deep mistrust and fear that his presence has engendered. Many residents feel that the police and local authorities should take more decisive action to ensure community safety and prevent individuals with such serious convictions from residing in close proximity to children and families. The case continues to evoke strong emotions, with calls for further measures to protect vulnerable members of the community from individuals like Lee Tatton.