Faster police response times and lower crime rates are top of the agenda for Hertsmere's new chief inspector, who this week promised to "make a difference".

Chief Inspector Dean Patient, 42, has been with Hertfordshire Constabulary for 16 years, and has replaced the former chief inspector, Sue Jameson, who moved to oversee the Workforce Planning Unit at Police Headquarters in Welwyn Garden City.

The married father-of-one said: "I have to say I am very excited about coming to Hertsmere and back onto the front line of policing.

"Hertsmere is a low crime area, but compared to the rest of the county there has only been a drop in crime of 0.8 per cent in the borough, whereas the county has seen a drop of five per cent.

"My main ambition and task is to drive all crime down in the borough as a whole and get it to the same level as the rest of the county.

"What I want is to refocus police time to get the crimes attended to as fast as possible and not leave the public waiting."

Before moving to Hertsmere, CI Patient was the chief inspector for Stevenage and also worked in the Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire Professional Standards Department, where he lead the Anti-Corruption Force.

He said: “The work I did for the Professional Standards Department was fascinating stuff, but it’s nice to get out there dealing with real people and real crime.

"I’m still getting to know the area and I didn’t know a lot about the borough in terms of day-to-day work, but I am aware Hertsmere is a low crime area and I want to keep it that way.

"What I was also aware of was the very strong relationship between the council and the police and it's quite nice in that respect to inherit a partnership that is up and running.

"The important thing is the authority is up for helping us fight crime, which means we can do so much more."

Before becoming a police officer in 1995, CI Patient had a career as a banker in the City of London for eight years, but at the same time he was a volunteer Special Constable in Essex.

"I found myself getting home from work quicker and quicker to put on the uniform.

"My main reason for being a police officer and what I want to do here is to make a difference to the community and make Hertsmere a safe place."