A respected senior Norfolk police officer who helped halve burglaries and vehicle crime during his time in Norwich, is set to retire from the force.

Chief Superintendent Tony Cherington has been presented with a scroll by Norfolk Police Authority in recognition of his long and distinguished career in the police.

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

He joined Northamptonshire Police in 1980, working primarily in the CID department and as a firearms officer before progressing through the ranks.

He joined Norfolk Constabulary on transfer in 2001 as the operations superintendent at King's Lynn where his responsibilities included performance, service delivery and royalty protection.

In June 2003 he was made chief superintendent and area commander of Norwich during which time he helped halve burglary and vehicle crime were halved.

Chf Supt Cherington then spent six months in 2005 working at police headquarters before returning to King's Lynn in September 2006 as 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, presented Chf Supt Cherington with a scroll in recognition of his service at police headquarters in Wymondham.

Mr Harding 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'.

'He maintained those standards until his retirement from the service. This testimonial is an expression of our respect, esteem and sincere appreciation of his work done on the Constabulary's behalf, but principally for the betterment of policing for the people who live in, work in, and visit Norfolk.'

Chf Supt Cherington said: 'I had no idea what was going to happen. I'm really touched and really surprised by the tributes. 'It's really unexpected, so thank you.'

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