A new chief inspector has been appointed for Three Rivers.

Deirdre Dent has replaced Catherine Akehurst, who is now working at Police Headquarters.

CI Dent joined the force in 1988 where she was posted to Watford. She later qualified as a detective sergeant and worked in the Child Protection unit, based in Stevenage Police Station.

Following a move to work in the Intelligence Unit in St Albans, she was promoted to inspector in 2000.

CI Dent also worked in the Community Safety team where she was the licensing co-ordinator before going on secondment to the Home Office Alcohol Strategy Unit to lead the Enforcement Team.  She returned in 2011 and has spent the past three years as the safer neighbourhood inspector for Watford.

CI Dent said: "Three Rivers has a strong sense of community.  Clearly keeping people safe and catching criminals is our priority and working to increase Neighbourhood Watch, community forums, victim satisfaction and protecting our vulnerable residents will be vital in keeping the Three Rivers reputation of having low levels crime and high levels of safety intact. 

"I have an excellent team who have developed some good community relations and respond to crime efficiently and effectively.  The recent arrests for attempting to defraud older people by taking their bank cards demonstrates the immediate response we are capable of implementing in order to protect our residents and I intend to maintain these high standards."