Sgt Nic ShortenGAZETTE & HERALD: CALNE police have a new officer following Sgt Nic Shorten's decision to take up a post at police headquarters.

Sgt Shorten, 44, moved to fresh pastures on Friday and has been replaced by Sergeant Peter Chamberlain, 42, from Melksham.

Sgt Chamberlain said he is excited about coming to Calne.

"It will be different and I am looking forward to the many challenges," he said.

"I have 14 years experience so I am hoping to bring my knowledge of lowering crime and detecting crimes to my staff here.

"I would like to think that I am a people person and I am looking forward to meeting the councillors from Calne Town Council and getting to hear what their concerns are.

"Hopefully I can help to alleviate and solve some of those problems."

Sgt Shorten is set to take up a position advising police officers how much evidence they will need before the Crown Prosecution Service will charge a criminal under new legislation to be fully implemented in 2007.

He will be helping police officers get used to the new system over the next three to six months. The post will eventually be taken over by a civilian.

He said: "Calne presented a few challenges for me, having spent the majority of my career as a detective, and it's been a challenge that I have enjoyed.

"It has been encouraging, since I have been here the level of crime has

dropped substantially."

Sgt Shorten thanked his colleagues for helping him achieve a ten per

cent reduction in crime figures, making Calne's station one of the best

performing stations in north Wiltshire.

He added: "I have enjoyed very close working relations with the town council and councillors and I would like to thank the town council, and particularly Anne Kingdon, the clerk, for support and encouragement."

Mrs Kingdon, said Sgt Shorten would be missed. "He's always been very approachable and helpful," she said.

Sgt Chamberlain started his career in Swindon in August 1990. He received a commendation in 1992 for arresting a burglar who had broken into the Co-op in Swindon. He spent three years in Highworth, before transferring to Swindon CID.

He secured the conviction of a man who had raped a female at knifepoint and in 2002 was promoted to Det Sgt, serving at Wootton Bassett and Chippenham.

He was a custody sergeant at Melksham for 14 months.