MID Devon's new chief of police says he wants local residents to get to know the names and faces of his officers.

Chief Inspector Nick Jarrold will now lead all police staff based from Tiverton, Cullompton and Crediton who cover the entire Mid Devon area. He takes over from former District Commander Jo Tennant, who has moved to a new role in Exeter.

Mr Jarrold said: "I am delighted with my new role here in Mid Devon. I have lived in Mid Devon since 1990, and feel that I have a real understanding of what is important for people who either live, work or visit our District.

"I am looking forward to working with our partners in the Mid Devon Community Safety Partnership as we all strive to make our communities safer.

"Everyone in Mid Devon has concerns and sometimes fears about crime and disorder. I will ensure that the police in your district focus on what the community has said is important to them.

"The supply of drugs, house burglaries, car crime and violence and antisocial behaviour are our priorities, because that is what you have told us cause you most concern."

Mr Jarrold said that by working with the district and county councils, the probation service, the primary care trust, the Devon Fire & Rescue Service, the youth offending team and the Police Authority members, he hopes to address issues and make a real difference to the quality of life for local residents.

He added: "We live in one of the safest parts of the country, which is an important fact to remember. Sometimes we feel vulnerable because our house is burgled, or our car broken into. The fact is that there is less than one house broken into per day across the whole of Mid Devon, and this number is falling still further.

"Over the next few months I will settle in to my new job and meet as many of the community as possible. Everyone in the District should know the names and faces of their local police officer."