Police chief from the market

Tarique Ghaffur worked on his family's clothing stall at Accrington market when he was 16.

Two years later he joined the police force and after quickly rising through the ranks was yesterday appointed one of Lancashire's most senior officers.

It is the second ground-breaking decision Lancashire police have made after last year's appointment of Pauline Clare as the first woman Chief Constable.

Mr Ghaffur, 40, who is currently serving as a chief superintendent for the Leicestershire Constabulary, said he was looking forward to his role. He said: "I would hope I have been selected, not for who I am, but for the skills I will bring."

Mr Ghaffur went to school in Uganda before coming to live in England with his family. He lived in Stretford and took A-levels at Stretford Technical College.

While studying, he worked part time on his family's market stall in Accrington.

"I have always wanted to come back and work in Lancashire. I have a specific interest in this area. In fact, I nearly joined Lancashire police in 1974."

Instead he joined Greater Manchester police and his service included posts as a sergeant in Moss Side and in the regional crime squad.

He became a superintendent in charge of the force inspectorate.

He transferred to Leicestershire in 1990 and was promoted chief superintendent in 1991.

Mr Ghaffur, a county class squash player, also has a BA (hons) in public administration from Manchester Polytechnic and an MA in criminology from Keele University. He said: "This is a tremendous opportunity. The selection process was strong and as the first Asian assistant chief constable this is a very historic day.

Superintendent John Vine, 40, has also been appointed an assistant chief constable in Lancashire.

He is currently serving with West Yorkshire police where he is head of corporate development.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.