NEW BROOMS:

The new heads of the county police and fire services have been confirmed. Staffordshire commissioner Ben Adams has revealed the appointments of Chris Noble as Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police and Rob Barber as Chief Fire Officer of Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service.

His decisions were ratified at a special meeting of the Police, Fire and Crime Panel.

Mr Noble, currently Assistant Chief Constable at Humberside, has been a police officer for more than 25 years, serving in the Royal Ulster Constabulary and the Police Service of Northern Ireland before moving to Humberside Police in 2017. He said: ‘It is a privilege to be appointed as the Chief Constable of Staffordshire Police and to take on the significant responsibilities the position brings.

“Having met many excellent and passionate officers and staff over the last few months, I know they value Staffordshire’s long history of being a local, creative and well-performing force. It is my clear intention to ensure that we, the staff and officers of Staffordshire Police, continue with that tradition.” Mr Barber, who has been Staffordshire’s Deputy Chief Fire Officer since 2016, joined the service in 1997 and over the last 24 years has worked throughout the county in all operational roles.

He said: “My key priority will be to provide a first-class service to our communities across prevention, protection and response in order to deliver the highest level of safety to our communities.”

Emma Barnett will continue to lead Staffordshire Police in the interim period until Mr Noble is able to assume the post in the coming months.

Mr Barber will take up his post following the retirement of Becci Bryant this month. Pictured, from left, are Rob Barber, Ben Adams and Chris Noble.