Wrench leaving for Adur police chief

Chief Inspector Sharon Rowe will leave her post as Adur district commander to take up the same position with Worthing police next week.

She said leaving Adur, where she had worked as a sergeant earlier in her career, would be quite a wrench.

Chief Insp Rowe told the Herald: "When I knew I might be on the move I had really mixed feelings about it. Adur is a great place to work."

She added she was proud, as since taking over the role, in 2004, crime in the district had fallen, and she had enjoyed working with her colleagues and other bodies, including the council.

Chief Insp Rowe said she would miss Adur, but was looking forward to the challenges her new role would bring: "I am looking forward to working in a thriving community and working with a new local authority. It will be a real challenge."

Her successor will be Chief Insp Lawrence Hobbs, who will join Adur district team after working at Brighton and Hove police, where he planned policing for events including DJ Fatboy Slim's beach concerts.

Chief Insp Rowe said: "I will miss the community but I know I am leaving it in capable hands. I will miss it, but I am only going next door."

Chief Insp Rowe will succeed Chief Insp Jason Taylor as Worthing district commander. He is leaving after two years to take up a position with the Sussex Police communications team, in Lewes.