REDDITCH police welcomed a new inspector to their team on Friday, August 1.

Inspector Rebecca Love recently took up her position as Redditch District Inspector after a 13 year career in West Mercia Police.

She said: “I am delighted to be returning to the area where I began as a police constable back in 2001. I’m really looking forward to working in the Redditch district.

“I would like to stress that I will be taking an active role in this position to continue to provide high standards of policing in Redditch. I am excited about the opportunities to work with partners and the community to make Redditch an even safer place to live and visit. I will be visible in dealing with the challenges policing throws at me."

After beginning her career in the force as a police constable, Insp Love later became a Safer Neighbourhood Officer for the areas of Southcrest and Smallwood in Redditch.

She was then responsible for setting up the first Partners and Communities Together (PACT) meeting, where police, councils and other

partners identify local community safety priorities.

As a result of her good work in the area, Insp Love was awarded with the Andrew Grant Community Officer of the Year in 2007. She also won the British Association for Women Police Award.

More recently, Insp Love has worked as a sergeant within South Worcestershire and a detective sergeant in the criminal investigation department.

Superintendent Kevin Purcell of North Worcestershire, said: "It is great to welcome back Inspector Becky Love as lead to our Redditch Safer Neighbourhood Policing Team. Becky has worked in Redditch before, so she knows what an exciting, vibrant policing environment she is taking on.

“At a time when we are ensuring that every pound we have is spent wisely to ensure Redditch remains a safe, well policed town, I am delighted that an officer of such a high calibre takes on this challenging role.”