HUDDERSFIELD is to have a new police commander.

West Yorkshire Chief Constable Colin Cramphorn has announced a large number of changes at management level.

Chief Supt John Holt, who has been in charge of the town's policing since 1997, is to move to headquarters in Wakefield.

He will take responsibility for co-ordinating the activities and performance improvement of all divisions across the force.

Supt Barry South, who only became commander of Dewsbury police at the start of January, has been promoted to chief superintendent and will become head of Huddersfield police.

Supt Marc Callaghan will move from Calderdale to take over at Dewsbury.

The changes will take place on March 1.

Kirklees Council Labour group leader Clr Mehboob Khan paid tribute to Chief Supt Holt's work in the town.

He said: "I'm sorry John is leaving. He has made an impact on local policing and will be missed.

"He has always been willing to help and work together to make our town a better and safer place.

"There is still much to do and the fight against crime will be stepped up as the Labour group intends to increase police community support officers and neighbourhood wardens to tackle crime."

Clr Khan added: "Chief Supt Holt has been easy to get in touch with and quick to respond to local policing issues.

"He has played a valuable role in working with communities."

The changes in West Yorkshire follow the recent promotion of six of the force's chief superintendents to assistant chief constable posts in forces across the country.

In the past few months two officers have gone to Cleveland, one officer to Thames Valley, one will leave shortly for Cumbria, one has been seconded to North Yorkshire and a sixth is being seconded to the Foreign Office.

In addition, a seventh chief superintendent has moved to a similar post in North Yorkshire and an eighth has moved to the Inspectorate of Police.

Mr Cramphorn said: "To have this number of moves within such a short time is both a reflection of the quality of the officers in West Yorkshire, but also a challenge to the force to balance continuity with experience in key posts.

"All the officers have had the opportunity to advance their careers due to their success locally and they have taken it.

"We wish them well, and look forward to some of them coming back. This means other officers will be transferred and promoted."