A NEW assistant chief constable has been appointed by West Mercia Constabulary.

Chief Superintendent Simon Edens, who is currently head of business change for Cambridgeshire Constabulary, will be the new Assistant Chief Constable (Territorial Operations).

Mr Edens, who will take up his position in the summer, said he was delighted' to be offered the post.

His new duties will include overseeing line management of the five divisional commanders, criminal justice and community safety matters, force control rooms, contact management and service quality, and the Special Constabulary.

Mr Edens is a trained hostage negotiator, and was part of the team of negotiators who brought the 2000 Stansted hijack to a peaceful conclusion.

He is married with three children and, when he has spare time, enjoys the music of Van Morrison and keeping fit.

Paul Deneen, chairman of West Mercia Police Authority, who chaired the interview process, said: "His background and experience fit in excellently with the values and visions of West Mercia Constabulary."

The current Assistant Chief Constable (Territorial Operations) Peter Wright is due to retire in September after 30 years of dedicated service with West Mercia Constabulary.

Mr Wright joined the force in 1978 and became Assistant Chief Constable in 2006.