VIOLENT crime and burglary are the top priorities for Rochford and Castle Point’s new police commander.

Chief Insp Lesley Ford is returning to south Essex after serving in a wide range of roles during 26 years with Essex Police.

For the past two-and-a-half years she has headed the force’s child abuse investigation team, but Ms Ford’s career began as a PC in Leigh, a job which often also saw her patrolling in Rochford and Castle Point.

She said: “I wanted to get back to my roots to deliver core policing, to come back out and deal with community policing.

“Let’s face it, that’s where we all started and that frontline service is so important for us to get right.

“I am really excited to be here and I am very much looking forward to the challenge of this new role.”

Ms Ford said she particularly wanted to find new ways to reduce violent crime and burglary.

She explained: “For me the local priorities are around the continued reduction of burglary of people’s homes, ensuring our local officers continue to provide a professional and community service to the community and getting things right first time.

“That’s really important – doing what we said we were going to do.

“I also want to build further partnerships to ensure we can provide the best local community support on the issues that are important.

“Violent crime is another priority for us. That includes public order, low-level assault and people carrying offensive weapons in public places.

“I would like to ensure we have a very clear understanding of these issues in the community and work as much as we can with our local officers to provide the best possible policing.”