A HIGH-ranking police officer who has masterminded the Lancashire force's response to the coronavirus crisis has been recognised in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

Lancashire Constabulary’s deputy chief constable Terry Woods has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medal.

Mr Woods was described as an ‘exemplary operational leader’ and an ‘inspiration to officers and staff’ whose calm and considered leadership has proved invaluable at times of crisis.

He joined Lancashire Constabulary in July 1996, was appointed as assistant chief constable in June 2017 and promoted to DCC in September 2019.

He has responsibility for policing services delivered in all Lancashire's territorial policing divisions and the control room at our police HQ in Hutton.

Mr Woods has worked in various locations across Lancashire and in numerous roles including response, road policing, support unit, child sexual exploitation teams, neighbourhood policing and change management.

He is an accredited specialist in strategic firearms and has commanded many large-scale operations over the years including taking command in the early stages of the partnership under the Lancashire Resilience Forum during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He leads nationally on police driver training.

He said: “I am very humbled but delighted to receive this honour and I would like to thank my family and colleagues for all their support throughout my policing career so far”.

Lancashire's chief constable Chris Rowley said: “I am absolutely delighted for Terry. This is a great achievement and richly deserved recognition for a distinguished career.

"Terry is hugely respected both throughout the force and UK policing in general. It’s a great accolade for both him and the constabulary.”