AFTER working as a detective for almost 20 years, a police officer has changed course to take the helm of a force's marine unit.

Inspector John Watts has joined the Marine Unit, which is based at Viking Park, Jarrow, South Tyneside, and provides diving and marine support for Northumbria, Durham and Cleveland police, and other agencies.

Work can involve searching waterways and confined spaces such as drains and culverts, as well as routine and high-profile patrols, which can include foot patrols in marinas, parks and docks.

Insp Watts, previously detective inspector at Sunderland City Area Command, replaced Inspector Stan Hughes, who retired this year.

He said: "Colleagues may have wondered why a career detective, who is almost two-thirds through his 30 years' service, would want a complete change and go to the Marine Unit. The reason is that I have had a lifelong interest in boats."

Insp Watts served for 16 years with Durham Police, spending most of his time in CID, which included working as a detective sergeant in his home town of Consett, County Durham, and on the force's drugs squad.

In 1998, he joined Northumbria Police in Sunderland as a uniformed inspector, and was detective inspector for four years.