A PAIR of police inspectors are today looking forward to the challenge of taking on new roles.

A PAIR of police inspectors are today looking forward to the challenge of taking on new roles.

Insp Richard Lane has replace Insp Martin Barnes-Smith as the Ipswich West Sector commander and Insp Robert Cracknell has taken over from acting Insp Paul Crick as the Hadleigh Sector commander.

Insp Lane has served with Suffolk police for 20 years.

He said: “This role is a new challenge for me and I am going to embrace it wholeheartedly.

“I have previously served in the west of Ipswich as a police constable and a sergeant and more recently have assisted with the new probationer training project.

“I will be faced with making decisions that directly impact on the lives of residents within my area and that is not something I will take lightly.

“I will refresh my knowledge of the west of the town and work hard towards achieving the aims of Suffolk First in delivering the new safer neighbourhood teams.”

Insp Cracknell has almost 20 years service in the police and transferred to Suffolk from Thames Valley Police in 2003.

He said: “We do not police in isolation and everyone has a role to play in maintaining what is a safe and pleasant area to live and work in.

“I urge everyone to report suspicious or criminal activity and be mindful of crime prevention by being safe and secure.”