Stevenage has its second new police chief inspector in less than two years.

Chief Inspector Alicia Shaw has been appointed to lead policing in Stevenage and replaces the outgoing Tannis Perks, who is moving to a similar role in Welwyn Garden City following a staffing reshuffle.

CI Perks was appointed to the role in July 2016, and immediately declared a commitment to tackling violent and drug-related crime in the town.

But after less than two years in post, she leaves a town that still has the highest rates of violent offences, sexual offences and drug-related crime in the county, as well as the overall highest crime rate.

Her replacement says she is aiming to work closely with the community to tackle crime.

She said: “I am delighted to be back working in Stevenage, an area that I know very well. I am looking forward to working with our partners and the community to make Stevenage a safe place to live and work.

“I hope to build on the already well-established links we have within our communities so we can continue to all work together to tackle crime. I know the residents of Stevenage care about their town, and I am impressed with the way they are always quick to respond to our appeals for help and information. I want to ensure that this continues.

“I am familiar with the diverse communities within Stevenage, and I am greatly looking forward to overseeing policing in the town.”

In her new role Alicia will be responsible for overseeing the work of the town’s three Safer Neighbourhood Teams, Intervention Teams – which respond to 999 calls and emergency incidents – and the Local Crime Unit, which investigates incidents such as robbery and burglary.

Alicia joined Herts police more than 25 years ago. She started as a patrol officer in North Herts and moved to Stevenage a few years later.

Throughout her career she has returned to Stevenage on many occasions, coming back as a detective sergeant and then again as a uniformed inspector.

She has spent most of her career working as a detective in numerous departments – including major crime, where she worked on serious offences including murder investigations.

More recently, Alicia has worked as a chief inspector on the Local Change Team, which looks at long-term policing goals.