LANCASHIRE Constabulary's Major Crime Unit has a new officer 'at the helm'.

Bob Helm, 45, formerly chief inspector at Preston, has taken up his new post as detective superintendent in charge of the unit, based at headquarters in Hutton.

As head of the unit Bob succeeds Colin Maloney, who recently retired from the force.

Bob said: "I have been a detective for a large part of my policing career and I'm looking forward to doing this type of work again. Leading the force's Major Crime Unit is a very exciting prospect.

"This is a terrific challenge for me given that the unit focuses on a number of specialist areas looking at a diversity of issues including organised crime, family protection including domestic violence, computer crime, fraud, stolen vehicles and Class A drug dealing linking in with Safer Streets in Lancashire."

Bob started his policing career in Preston in 1975 as a uniform constable and has been based in the city for most of his 27 years service.

He was awarded the Queen's gallantry medal in 1977 and for three years from 1983 he served on the then Area Crime Squad before a spell as training provider at Hutton headquarters.

In 1989 he moved to Blackpool as a detective sergeant before moving to the Crime Support Unit ten years ago, still as a detective sergeant.

Bob returned to Preston in 1995 as a uniform inspector and -- following a short period as an acting DCI on the Senior Investigating Officer team at Hutton headquarters -- later as a town centre inspector promoted to chief inspector of operations and then community safety.

He is married with two children.