PENDLE'S new police chief has said he is looking forward to the new challenge of running one of the largest divisions in the county.

Superintendent Clive Helliwell has taken responsibility for policing the Colne division from Superintendent Peter Rawstrone, who has retired after 30 years with the force.

Supt Helliwell arrived behind his desk at Colne police station from Lancashire police headquarters at Hutton. As divisional commander he will oversee policing in a large area stretching from Barnoldswick and Clitheroe to Brierfield and Nelson.

"I am delighted to be here and look forward to getting to know the area and the people," said Supt Helliwell. "It's the furthest east I've worked in the county and it's come as a pleasant surprise."

He arrived at Colne just weeks before the results of a major restructuring of the county force is announced. His division may be altered, but Supt Helliwell stressed it would be 'business as usual.'

"Although the boundaries may change, there will be the same police stations and, hopefully, more officers on the streets and that's what the public is bothered about, not how the force is organised," he said.

Supt Helliwell has been with the Lancashire force for 20 years. He started as a constable in Blackpool before being promoted to sergeant at Blackburn and going on to become an inspector in Leyland and Chorley.

He moved to police headquarters and worked as a staff officer for the former chief constable, before returning as a chief inspector at Blackburn. For the past six years he has been a superintendent at HQ.

Chairman of the Pendle Police and Community Forum Councillor Frank Clifford, paid tribute to Supt Rawstrone. "He served the community well for a long number of years. We wish him well in his retirement."

Supt Rawstrone, known as Rosie, began his working life as a cadet and became a PC in Colne in 1966. He rose through the ranks, leaving the area before returning to Pendle as an inspector and then became a superintendent at Nelson before taking overall control of the division.

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