ONE of North Yorkshire’s most senior police officers has decided to step down.

Assistant Chief Constable David Collins has retired after more than 30 years of service.

He joined the North Yorkshiree force as a temporary ACC in 2003 and was appointed to a permanent position in 2004.

He has been instrumental in developing the force’s approach to neighbourhood policing and latterly in securing improvements in major and serious crime prevention and prosecution.

He spent his early career in Nottinghamshire and West Yorkshire, before moving to the Inspectorate of Constabulary where he served as staff officer.

Mr Collins is a member of the Association of Chief Police Officers and, until recently, was the national spokesperson for rural policing affairs and independent advisory groups.

Police authority chairman Jane Kenyon said: "David has had a long and illustrious career in the police service and has achieved much in his thirty years.

"He is very much a ‘people’ person and has made a large number of friends, both within the service and throughout our communities.

"He has made a significant contribution to the improvements within North Yorkshire Police over recent years – we wish him a long and happy retirement."