NEW chief constable for Wiltshire Police Kier Pritchard said he is honoured to be chosen as filling the highest ranking role for policing in the force.

Mr Pritchard, who has been with the force for 25 years, was temporary chief constable since March and began the role just one day before the Novichok nerve agent attack in Salisbury. Since then he has led the force and has now been confirmed in the role for the next three years.

Mr Pritchard said: “I was born in Salisbury and I am a Wiltshire man through and through, now I live in the Chippenham area where my children are in both primary and secondary schools.

“I joined the force as a lad aged 19 in Swindon. Since then I have worked in the community policing team, as a detective, DCSI and specialist teams and joined the chief constable team in 2014. Since becoming temporary chief constable, it has been a unique year. Since day one we found ourselves excelled into the spotlight with a local, national and international interest to ensure the safety of the community of Salisbury.

“It has been an honour to lead that through. Never in my career have I experienced the media intrusion and the way the organisation came through is a testament to the staff, public and partners.

“Placing people at the centre of everything we do is what I believe in and is what I will continue to do.”

Mr Pritchard outlined his vision for the future of Wiltshire Police to a police and crime panel today in Devizes town hall. He said that preventative measures to help people before they are led to commit a crime was a top priority for the police force.

He also praised the work of restorative justice teams that bring offenders together with the their victims to talk about the crime and help victims move on from the incident.

He plans to work with other voluntary, emergency and council run teams in the community by sharing information to help the most vulnerable people in the community.

PCC Angus Macpherson said:“I am confident that he will continue to build on the great work being done in the Force and take forward his inspiring vision for the future.” Mr Pritchard was selected from the candidates by a panel of 10 who unanimously ranked him the best candidate for the job.

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