THE latest recruit at Kidderminster Police Station is relishing his return to work in the community he first served 24 years ago.

Steve Pooler has returned as the Chief Inspector for Support 15 years after leaving the district.

Mr Pooler, who says he has a "strong affection" with Kidderminster, is delighted to be returning to his policing roots after spells in Droitwich, Bromsgrove, Redditch, Worcester and Ludlow.

He said: "Though I moved on professionally from Kidderminster in 1986, I remained living here.

"I am married with two sons, both of whom were born here, and we have many friends living in the area, so my local connections are very strong."

His most recent post was in the operations department at the West Mercia force HQ at Worcester's Hindlip Hall, from where he has helped co-ordinate large-scale events.

These include floods in Wyre Forest and Worcester, National Front demonstrations in Worcester and Kidderminster and last year's fuel protests.

When not at work, Mr Pooler can still be seen in the town at Aggborough, home of his beloved Kidderminster Harriers, and during training with the St John's Tigers youth team.

Mr Pooler, who was born in Telford but has lived in Kidderminster for 25 years, added: "I look forward to working with Wyre Forest people so our community continues to be one of the safest places in the country to live, work and visit."