READING’S new police chief has revealed his top priorities for tackling crime in the town.

Superintendent Steve Raffield replaced Nick John as Commander of Reading Local Policing Area on Monday, November 1.

The police chief has been working for Thames Valley Police for almost 30 years after starting his career in Bracknell in 1993.

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His previous roles mean he has expertise in uniformed response, neighbourhood policing and detective investigation.

Most recently, he was Detective Chief Inspector Crime Manager for Milton Keynes.

Speaking following his appointment, Superintendent Raffield revealed what was top of his to-do list.

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He said: “I am really pleased to be taking up the role of Reading LPA Commander and returning to an area of the Force where I first started my career.

“I am very keen to build upon the excellent partnership working which is in place and will bring continued focus on serious violence and knife crime, domestic abuse and continuing to make Reading a safe place for people to live, work and visit.”