A FAMILIAR face has returned to the area as head of Weetwood Police.

Superintendent Francis Habgood, who began his police service as a constable at Weetwood in 1987 has been appointed divisional commander, covering areas including Wharfedale, Aireborough and Horsforth.

Most of his police career has been spent in Leeds, where he has also served at Millgarth and Killingbeck. He also previously worked as staff officer to the former West Yorkshire Police Assistant Chief Constable Norman Bettison.

He moves to Weetwood from his previous post as the force's Head of Community safety and Race Relations, which involved spearheading community safety partnerships across the county and the force's response to the MacPherson recommendations.

Supt Habgood, who lives in Leeds and is married with two young children, said: "I am delighted to return as divisional commander to the area where I started my police career.

"All my operational policing experience is in Leeds and I have a lot of contacts in the city. I am looking forward to the challenge of leading Weetwood Police."

He succeeds Chief Supt George Robinson, who has taken up a post at police headquarters in Wakefield.