IT IS all change at the top for police in York.

Inspector Mark Khan has been named as the new inspector in charge of neighbourhood policing in York city centre. He started work in the new role yesterday.

He was formerly in charge of neighbourhood policing in the Selby West area, having moved to North Yorkshire Police from the Humberside force last year.

He said he was looking forward to the challenge of working in York city centre.

Inspector Khan replaces Inspector Richard Crinnion, who was responsible for implementing neighbourhood policing teams in York. He has now moved to York CID to become a detective inspector.

He has been responsible for a range of initiatives including Operation Cobra, which aims to combat car crime, and a clampdown on graffiti.

He won an Area Commander's Commendation last year for his role in implementing neighbourhood policing in the city.

Inspector Richard Abbott will replace Inspector Khan in Selby West. He is an experienced inspector, who previously headed up the city's response team.

Chief Inspector Barry Smith, who has overall responsibility for neighbourhood policing in the force's central area, which includes York and Selby, said: "I am delighted for Richard. This move recognises the considerable achievements he has led in neighbourhood policing for the city over the past year. Neighbourhood policing is where some of our best people are.

"Inspector Mark Khan has developed some fantastic initiatives across Selby West and I am sure he will bring them with him and build on his successes.

"Inspector Abbott is a very experienced and highly- effective inspector and I am delighted to secure him as a new addition to the neighbourhood policing team."


Fact files

Inspector Richard Abbott was one of a team of officers presented with Area Commander's Commendations last week for their actions when a young man went missing during a night out in York.

He also headed Operation Causeway, which ran from November to January and resulted in 665 people getting fixed penalty notices, 709 people - mostly cyclists - being warned about road safety issues, and £19,950 in fines being handed out.


Inspector Mark Khan headed a team of officers in Selby.

There were three key sergeant-led teams covering Sherburn-in-Elmet and surrounding villages, the southern sector and Tadcaster.

Before joining North Yorkshire Police, he worked for Humberside Police in Bridlington.