GLOUCESTERSHIRE'S new police chief Tony Melville started his new job by carrying out patrols on the streets of Gloucester and Cheltenham at the weekend.

He then spent Monday, his first full day, touring the county, speaking to residents, shoppers and workers to discuss issues they would like addressed.

Mr Melville, 47, who was previously deputy chief constable with Devon and Cornwall Constabulary, has a wealth of experience and has worked as a beat officer, traffic officer and detective.

He said: "I want to listen carefully to local communities, our partners and to our own people who work for the constabulary.

"They will all have an important part to play as we plan for the future with a real focus on putting people first."

Mr Melville worked in Devon and Cornwall from 2003. During that time he led an initiative which returned 200 police officers to uniformed frontline duties.

He also oversaw the roll-out of neighbourhood policing and led work to maximise the time officers spent outside the police station.

Mr Melville has held national roles in tackling knife and drug crime and in 2008 he played a lead role in dealing with a bombing incident in Exeter city centre.

His career began in 1981 when he joined Warwickshire Constabulary having spent three years as a police cadet.

He served there in all ranks up to detective chief superintendent before moving to Devon.

Mr Melville, who is married to Jacqueline and has three sons, recently relocated to Gloucestershire.

He has a masters degree in organisational management from Manchester University and an advanced diploma in criminology from Cambridge University.

Former chief constable Dr Timothy Brain, who retired on January 1, served 31 years in the police service – including more than 11 years with Gloucestershire police.