Chief Superintendent Eddie Newton has been appointed Divisional Commander for Lancashire Constabulary’s South division, which covers Chorley, Preston, South Ribble, Ormskirk and Skelmersdale.

Chief Supt Newton has more than 29 years’ policing experience, having worked across a range of roles from Response PC, Rural Beat Officer to Sergeant, Geographic Inspector and Superintendent, mainly working across South division, in between roles at Headquarters.

The position of Divisional Commander is not an entirely new one. Each policing area used to have its own Divisional Commander prior to a restructure in 2016, which saw a move to more thematic, centralised leadership.

The reintroduction of the role will improve accountability and delivery of local policing services, following a review of structures, which included seeking the views of officers, staff and partner agencies, who felt that local commanders were needed to enhance service delivery, particularly partnership working.

Chief Supt Newton said: “I am delighted and very proud to take up the position of Divisional Commander in the area I am passionate about and in which I have spent so much of my service.

“My role in division will be to understand the local issues of the communities and work with strategic partners to build collaborative community safety relationships to be able to focus on long-term solutions. Having a proactive approach along with honest and open conversations will allow us to work together to concentrate on problem solving, ensuring the right support is provided by the right organisations.

“In addition, it is my aim to develop and continue the high level of commitment and expertise of the local policing team to enable us to play our part in preventing and investigating crime and keeping the public of Lancashire safe; by doing our job well and getting it right first time, every time."

Chief Supt Newton is also the Chair of the Lancashire Police Superintendents Association and has been a Trustee of the North West Police Benevolent Fund for the last five years.

Andrew Snowden, Lancashire's Police and Crime Commissioner, added: “This is an example of what I have been pushing for, ensuring that local policing has the ability to focus on issues that matter most to people, where they live. I’m pleased that the
Chief Constable is strengthening the ability of each policing division to tackle the unique challenges within their areas and help address local concerns.

“With hundreds of new police officers being recruited and getting out onto our streets to keep people safe, the reintroduction of divisional commanders will ensure accountability against what the Chief Constable and myself want to see, which is criminals off our streets, and the people of Lancashire feeling safer.

“My message remains a simple one, I am on your side. I will support the force in cracking down on criminals, making sure all of Lancashire’s areas and communities feel protected and work with the Chief Constable on the issues that matter to people, such as anti-social behaviour and getting tough on reoffending.”