STROUD Police has a new inspector at the helm after the departure of Andy Poole.

Brian Clifford stepped into the position of Inspector last week and has since been familiarising himself with the role, staff and police station.

A Gloucestershire officer through and through, Mr Clifford was born in the county and has served as a police officer for 28 years.

In the past he has worked in response and neighbourhood policing at both a national and local level, including Inspector in the Cotswolds.

He also took up a role as project manager and helped develop the UK’s Crime map website - goo.gl/31Ke4x

Most recently he was stationed in the police hub at Bamfurlong in Cheltenham, where he was shift inspector for Gloucester and Cheltenham.

Andy Poole left the role earlier this month and has taken up a position elsewhere within Gloucestershire Police force.