DEVON and Cornwall Constabulary's new assistant chief constable has long standing family ties to the Okehampton area.

ACC Nigel Arnold can trace his family back to 1532 in Iddesleigh and one of his ancestors was a constable in Okehampton in 1641.

Until the beginning of the 20th century, the Arnold family owned the historic North Wyke House in South Tawton.

Mr Arnold, 46, who was brought up in Tiverton, joined the force this week from Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

He said at a professional level he was looking forward to a new challenge and on a personal level he was just very happy to be coming home.

'The Devon and Cornwall Constabulary has a long and proud tradition of working with and within its communities,' he said.

'It will only be by listening to the needs and aspirations of local people that we will reduce the crime levels and make Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly an even safer place in which to work, live and visit,' he said.