A NEW man has been appointed to spearhead local policing across south Worcestershire.

Superintendent Mark Travis has been named West Mercia Police’s new police commander for the force area and will head a new command team.

Supt Travis will be the third officer to occupy the role in just six months, following on from supt Steve Cullen who stepped down in August last year and was replaced by chief supt Mark Turner in October.

Three new chief inspectors were put in position last month and also new to the team are detective ch insp Stacy Williamson as crime manager, ch insp Paul Kinsella leading neighbourhood policing, and ch insp Mark Steele leading operational policing.

Supt Travis said: “As a resident of Worcestershire, I am delighted to have the challenging of policing the area I live in. I am very lucky that our staff are enthusiastic and have a real 'can-do attitude'.

“The breadth of skills in the new chief inspectors and the abilities of the South Worcestershire staff will allow us to ensure we offer a good service in some challenging times.”

He added: “The public want to see us out on the ground. I am keen to ensure we are as visible as possible with a focus on proactive policing.

“We will use all our resources to tackle our main priorities such as burglary, drugs and to protect people from harm.

“To police effectively is a partnership: I hope the public will support us in making our local communities the best possible places to live.

“I understand it is difficult sometimes to come forward with information or even to provide evidence, but we need the help of the public to make a difference and stop criminality.”

Supt Travis has previously been the detective superintendent leading intelligence for the force and worked as a chief inspector in Herefordshire where he held portfolios for operational policing and response policing for Hereford city.