A senior police officer who helped halve burglaries and vehicle crime during his time in Norwich is set to retire.

Chief Superintendent Tony Cherington, who leads the Norfolk force's single county delivery unit (CDU) and has responsibility for all uniformed officers and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs), leaves next month after more than 30 years as a police officer.

He joined Norfolk Constabulary in 2001 as operations superintendent at King's Lynn where his responsibilities included royalty protection.

In June 2003 he was made chief superintendent and area commander of Norwich, helping to halve burglary and vehicle crime.

In September 2006, he became commander for the western part of the county.

Early in 2008 he was asked to head the new CDU which was set up as part of the force's restructure programme and saw him managing the seven district superintendents and approximately 1,500 staff.

Chris Harding, chief executive of the Norfolk Police Authority, said: 'Throughout this distinguished service, Tony delivered high standards and oversaw significant improvement in the overall performance of the Force which ultimately led to the County being accredited the 'Safest County in England'.'