GLOUCESTERSHIRE'S new top cop deliberately visited the Forest on his first day in office to: "listen and understand what local people are saying about policing."

Chief Constable, Tony Melville, 47 (right) began his stint with the Gloucestershire force by going on patrol in Gloucestershire and Cheltenham during the weekend. Then, on his first full day, he went on tour around Stow, Tewkesbury and Gloucester city, before arriving at Cinderford.

"I want to listen very carefully to understand what the concerns are here, what the crime issues are, what people are saying about policing.

"This part is very much about listening," said Mr Melville, who confirmed he has already arranged a round table meeting next week with all the mayors from the Forest.

"I come from a background in Devon and Cornwall and I do think I have an understanding of how rural communities do feel isolated and feel real concerns about crime. We need to provide policing that meets the needs of those concerns."

Mr Melville first joined Warwickshire Constabulary in 1981, and served in all ranks from beat officer and detective to detective chief constable. In 2003 he worked in Devon and Cornwall, rising to deputy chief constable, returning 200 police officers to uniformed front line duties and leading on neighbourhood policing as well as holding national roles in tackling knife and drug crime.

He moved to Gloucestershire with his wife, Jacqueline, and three sons, just before Christmas.