A SENIOR police officer has switched from his uniformed role to head a busy CID office.

Chief Inspector Bruce Turnbull has taken over as crime manager of the Wear and Tees division, based at Bishop Auckland police station.

He will lead detectives working from Bishop Auckland, Barnard Castle and Crook, replacing Chief Inspector Paul Green, who has left the force.

Before starting as the division's operations manager last February, he had spent two-and-a-half years as head of Durham Constabulary's criminal justice department, based at headquarters.

He has also worked in Derwentside, Durham and Peterlee.

Chief Insp Turnbull said he was looking forward to his new role, adding: "The division has seen a reduction in reported crime over the past three years along with a rise in the detection rate. My aim is to keep that going.

"At the same time I am maintaining my responsibility for community safety in the division, working alongside other agencies including Wear Valley and Teesdale District Councils."

Chief Inspector Dave Pickard, at Easington will take over as operations manager.