A DETECTIVE who has led a string of high-profile investigations is set to become one half of a crack murder squad.

Detective Superintendent Mark Braithwaite, the town's crime manager for the last three years, is leaving Hartlepool to take up a new senior investigative role.

Mr Braithwaite is likely to return to the town for any future homicide investigations.

He said: "I've thoroughly enjoyed working at Hartlepool. It's got a community spirit that I've not experienced anywhere else in my 23 years police service.

"There's a tremendous amount of partnership work going on in the town, which individually and collectively has created year on year reductions in crime for a decade."

Mr Braithwaite's role at Hartlepool involved leading CID, overseeing crime management and sitting on a variety of partnership forums, including the town's Crime Prevention Panel.

His post will be taken over by Detective Superintendent Steve Swales, who works at the Cleveland force's Langbaurgh district.

Mr Braithwaite, 41, who is married to Kay - also a police officer - and has two daughters, is to take up one of two dedicated senior investigating officer posts based at the force's Ladgate Lane headquarters.

Together with Detective Superintendent Tony Hutchinson, he will lead murder investigations across the Cleveland force area.