Top cop moves on after six months

Inspector Simon Nelson has been invited by Chief Constable Ken Jones to be his Staff Officer.

Inspector Nelson (pictured right) spoke this week of the "privileged opportunity" the Chief Constable has given him and also of his regrets at leaving Bexhill.

He said: "It is a with mixed feelings that I announce my forthcoming departure from Bexhill.

"I have been offered the opportunity to take up the post of Staff Officer to the Chief Constable, a privileged opportunity and developmental prospect which I would be foolish to disregard.

"I have described my role at Bexhill as being the most enjoyable in my career to date and I was not actively seeking to move away.

"However, I remain secure in the knowledge that Bexhill Police is now more than a leader and has become the sum of its parts.

"I am proud of my present team and have every confidence in what they are going to achieve.

"The systems in place and the philosophy of offering excellence in local policing will prevail, and the District Commander is determined that this will continue to be the case.

"I am grateful to Chief Inspector Rob Carden and the Hastings and Rother Command Team for supporting me in leading the police back into the community. I also recognise the commitment and cooperation of many key local people, too numerous to mention, who shared my desire to keep Bexhill safe, and invest in long-term solutions.

"Many such solutions relate to young people and it is essential that adequate investment ensures that a large proportion of them remain in Bexhill so as to contribute to its prosperity.

"An appropriate successor is being selected to take the lead in Bexhill and their identity will follow at the earliest opportunity."