AVON and Somerset's new chief constable starts his role today.

Andy Marsh was announced as the new chief of police back in December when his appointment was approved by the police and crime panel.

Mr Marsh is the former cheif constable of Hampshire Constabulary.

Chief constable Andy Marsh said: “It’s a great privilege to be formally appointed as the next chief constable of Avon and Somerset.

“It’s been an honour to serve as the chief constable of Hampshire Constabulary and I’m extremely proud of what we achieved together during my time there.

"Looking forward, I’m very excited at the prospect of working with the excellent officers, staff and volunteers of Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

"It’s the force I first joined in 1987 and I’m thrilled to be returning as chief constable to help build on the excellent work that’s taken place in the intervening period since I left.

“Partnership with our communities and other service providers is an equally critical factor in successfully tackling crime, and increasingly so as the nature of that crime becomes more complex. Spending time with partner agencies and visiting communities across the force will be one of my early priorities.”

He began his career in Avon and Somerset in 1987 and has held senior posts in Avon and Somerset, Wiltshire and Hampshire.

As well as being a former area commander of South Bristol and East Somerset he also has operational and detective experience.

He is also the national lead for a number of areas of policing including IT procurement and body-worn video cameras.

Temporary chief constable Gareth Morgan has been acting as chief constable following the depature of the disgraced Nick Gargan.