A Bradford police chief who led a murder investigation which saw two armed robbers jailed for more than 50 years is retiring to take up a new role supporting the victims of crime.

Chief Superintendent Allan Doherty will step down as Airedale and North Bradford Police commander to work for Shipley-based Victim Support at the end of the month.

Mr Doherty was the senior investigating officer in the murder of 36-year-old Tasawar Hussain, gunned down as he tried to stop robbers holding up a travel agents in Lumb Lane, Manningham.

His new career will see the father-of-four helping relatives of murder victims. Mr Doherty said: “I’m looking forward to the new role as it is a chance to be more hands-on and deal directly again with the public to provide support. I believe my experience of working as an senior investigating officer with victims of crime will be beneficial and am looking forwards to starting again in a more operational role on the front line.”

Mr Doherty joined the force as a Cadet at Odsal, Bradford, in 1979.

He later returned to Toller Lane as a detective and Eccleshill, rising from Detective Sergeant to Detective Chief Inspector. In the 1990s, he headed the Force Major Crime Unit before promotion to Detective Superintendent in Bradford and then Divisional Commander in Keighley and Bradford North Divisions. As Chief Superintendent, he took over the newly-formed Airedale and North Bradford Division in 2008. But he took most pride in heading investigations, including the hunt for Mr Hussain’s killers, which saw father and son Barry and Derek Elner jailed in 2004.

Mr Doherty, who has been awarded 21 commendations, said: “I was proud to have helped put behind bars some very dangerous criminals and helping give the victims some comfort from knowing that we had caught and brought to justice the people responsible for their suffering.”