THE former head of Lancashire's police helicopter team has swooped into Burnley to join senior police management.

Chief Inspector Chris Weigh has taken charge of uniform operations covering the whole Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Pennine Division.

The 35-year-old Cheshire-raised officer joined Lancashire police after leaving school and has spent 16 years working in several parts of the county, holding a number of specialist posts.

He has worked in uniform and CID, the Criminal Justice Department and the Air Support Unit as the officer in charge of the force helicopter.

In his last post, he was the Detective Chief Inspector in the major crime unit where he had particular responsibility for the investigation of child abuse.

Mr Weigh said: "I am looking forward to working in the Pennine Division and many of the challenges that lie ahead.

"Although I will be based at the divisional headquarters at Burnley, I will be travelling throughout the division to ensure I keep closely in touch with all operational issues."

Mr Weigh, a father-of-two who lives in Southport, is a member of the constabulary's Ethics Advisory Group and has researched ethical policing methods for some time, an area he intends to draw upon while working in the division.

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