WILTSHIRE'S new assistant chief constable has pledged to go on patrol regularly. Peter Vaughan, 41, started work with Wiltshire Constabulary on Monday at the police headquarters in Devizes.

He has 19 years experience in the police service, serving with South Wales Police, where he rose from the rank of constable to chief superintendent.

He told the Gazette: "Policing is all about officers being accessible.

"It's important that people feel they can approach their local officers and commanders and I would like to be visible.

"It's important that communities know who their leaders are, and I will go to as many public meetings as I can which involve the police.

"I also hope to go out on patrol once a month with police officers, not just on the beat because I love walking, but also in patrol vehicles.

"Going out on patrol will enable me to meet the public but also police officers which is important."

Mr Vaughan will be responsible for operational policing in Wiltshire and he has met the three divisional commanders, chief superintendents Mandy Evely, Jerry Wickham and Patrick Stayt.

He said Wiltshire was a forward- thinking police force and he was delighted to be working here.

One of Mr Vaughan's successes in South Wales was implementing a ground-breaking scheme which saw a sergeant and six police constables dedicated to working in three villages in the Rhondda Valley which had a high crime rate.

Mr Vaughan said 18 months after the scheme was launched there had been a 40 per cent reduction in burglary and 30 per cent reduction in car crime. Drug crime was severely dented with the arrests of 102 people and large seizures of drugs made.

He said: "There was also a problem with youths causing annoyance to the community.

"We, in partnership with others, were able to educate them and come up with alternatives to keep them occupied, including building a skateboard park."

Mr Vaughan is looking for a house in Wiltshire with his wife, Suzanne, and their children, Scott, 15, and Danielle, 11.