RESIDENTS in Craven have a chief inspector overseeing policing in the district again.

Chief Inspector Nick Smedley has taken on the responsibility for the whole of Craven District and will co-ordinate the work of the inspectors and sergeants in Skipton, Settle, Ingleton, Grassington and Cross Hills.

Craven lost its chief inspector three years ago during the force re-organisation but now the powers-that-be have decided Craven needs one focal officer.

Mr Smedley said he was "elated" about having the opportunity to lead policing in Craven. "It is without question the most beautiful part of North Yorkshire."

He added: "My aim is to ensure that the quality of life in the Craven area is as high as we can possibly make it."

He wants to target anti-social behaviour, and drug abuse as priorities. About Skipton's drug problem he said: "I think Skipton has its fair proportion of the problem because of its proximity to bigger cities."

Mr Smedley lives in Ripon with his wife, Liz, and three children Becky, 14, Daniel, 11, and Ruth, six. He has been a local area police commander in the city since 1998.

He has been with the force for 25 years, having served at Scarborough, Harrogate, Ripon and headquarters.

During his time he has gained extensive policing experience, with the last 10 years as an inspector. He has also served with the road policing unit, drugs squad, the force information technology department, control room and call handling. Most recently he led a major review of all force policy and procedure to ensure it complied with the new Human Rights Act.

In 1988 he graduated with an honours degree in law and qualified as a barrister in 1990.

Mr Smedley enjoys long distance walking and has completed the 190-mile coast to coast walk, the Cleveland Way, the Dales Way and the trans-Pennine Way. He is also a keen motorcyclist, his pride and joy being a 1979 Honda machine.

The force has also appointed a new inspector to replace Peter Lambert who retired last month. He is Tadeusz Nowakowski, and he will start in May.