New man on the beat! (From Yeovil Express)

New man on the beat!

1:00pm Monday 8th February 2010

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YEOVIL police have welcomed a new Superintendent to help develop policing across South Somerset and the Mendips.

Supt Matt Ayres will support the District Commander in delivering both operational and neighbourhood policing across the Somerset East policing district.

He brings 21 years experience to the post and arrives from his previous role running the Criminal Justice Department.

He has worked on several districts undertaking both operational and strategic roles, including Chief Inspector and Superintendent in Bristol.

As Chief Inspector he established the Force Inspection Unit and has been a Sector Inspector in South Bristol and the Force's Head of Crime Reduction.

The district is familiar territory to him as he has lived in Somerset on both the Somerset East and Somerset West districts all his service.

After training as a police officer he spent his probation in Frome and was also a response officer in Street and a Community Beat Manager in Glastonbury before moving to specialist crime units at Bridgwater.

Speaking after his first few weeks in the role, Superintendent Ayres said: "It is great to return to the district where I first started my police career.

“Somerset East is a fantastic part of the world with places such as Glastonbury Tor and Wells Cathedral on our doorstep.

“As well as those who live and work in the area the landmarks attract many tourists and it is important that we keep crime down in the area so that everyone feels safe and has the maximum confidence in our local policing style.

"Fortunately, Somerset East is a safe area with residents less likely to be victims of crime than other more urban areas.

“However, there is no room for complacency as the district's large geographical area and unique events such as Glastonbury Festival present some policing challenges.

“I am looking forward to meeting those challenges and continuing the good work done by my predecessor Superintendent Mike Prior."

Supt Prior has taken up a new post in the professional standards department at police headquarters in Portishead.

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