A FORMER Redditch police officer has been appointed deputy chief constable of West Mercia Police.

Amanda Blakeman, who was posted to Redditch after her initial training in 1992, received the promotion from her current post as assistant chief constable for local policing, a position she has held permanently since May 2016.

Chief constable Anthony Bangham,who also started his policing career in Redditch, said: "Following a comprehensive selection process, I am very pleased to welcome Amanda as our new deputy chief constable. She brings with her a wealth of experience and operational knowledge. She clearly understands what is required to support the communities of West Mercia."

Police and crime commissioner John Campion added: "I am extremely pleased in the chief's choice. I'm confident that Amanda will do an excellent job for the communities of Herefordshire, Shropshire, Telford and Wrekin, and Worcestershire. Amanda was successful in an exceptionally strong field which gives me even greater confidence that she is the right person for the job."

She had been carrying out the role as assistant chief constable on a temporary basis since October 2014. Prior to that she was chief superintendent.

Assistant chief constable Blakeman spent eight years as part of 24 hour response policing and neighbourhood policing within Redditch and Worcester.

Since joining West Mercia she rose through the ranks including a spell on the serious and organised crime unit and the regional intelligence unit.

She then moved to North Worcestershire where she had the role of chief inspector operations with responsibility for the provision of 24 hour policing services across the territory. During this period Amanda qualified as a firearms commander.

She also received a national award from the British Association for Women in Policing for 'Excellence in Performance'.

In her own time she studied for and was proud to obtain a Bachelor of Science Degree with Honours in Crime and Criminology.

The date for her appointment is due to be announced shortly.