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Suffolk's police and crime commissioner Tim Passmore has announced the appointment of Douglas Paxton as the new Chief Constable for the county.

Mr Passmore and an appointments panel selected Douglas Paxton following a rigorous process of interview and assessments on Tuesday, January 29.

The decision was subject to confirmation by the county's police and crime panel, which was considered today at a meeting in Endeavour House.

Douglas, who is married with two children, returns to Suffolk where he served for twelve years. He joined Suffolk Constabulary in 1989 and rose to the rank of Superintendent, serving as Deputy Area Commander for the west of Suffolk.

He moved to West Midlands Police in 2002 where, for three years, he was in charge of a large division in Birmingham city centre. Most recently he was Deputy Chief Constable in Staffordshire.

Mr Passmore said: "Douglas impressed us with his sound knowledge of the county and all its different communities and businesses.

"His innovative approach to policing and partnership working will be particularly important as we work more closely with partners to get the very best value for the council taxpayer.

“I look forward to working with Douglas to devise Suffolk’s long-term plan for policing over the next five or six years, in line with my police and crime plan.”

Speaking for the first time as Chief Constable, Mr Paxton said: “I feel very honoured and delighted to be returning to the force I joined as a new recruit 24 years ago.

“I share a strong affinity with Suffolk and its people, having spent twelve very happy and formative years of my early career serving its communities.

“I look forward to working with Commissioner Passmore and I’m determined to build on the positive legacy and leadership of Chief Constable Simon Ash to make Suffolk an even safer place to live, work and visit.”