A NEW senior officer has joined Calderdale police.

Chief Insp Tony Craven has a wide-ranging role, which includes training, call handling, performance and project management, custody and the helpdesk.

Chief Insp Craven, 43, has been in the West Yorkshire Police for 24 years. Most recently, he has been involved in the major investigation into the Bradford riots of July, 2001.

In the investigation, called Operation Wheel, he was the deputy senior investigating officer at first. But in the later stages he was in charge of it.

More than 255 people have been charged with offences relating to the riots.

He has been a detective for 10 years and has mainly worked in Bradford.

But he was also in charge of the Calder- dale Child Protection Unit in Elland during the late 1990s.

Chief Insp Craven said: "I have been working in a specialised environment for the last couple of years or so, during which time operational policing at divisional level has moved on.

"Each division is scrutinised rigorously, to make sure it is delivering the best possible service to the local communities.

"I am mindful of the need for local accountability and am really looking forward to the challenges my new role brings."

Chief Insp Craven is married with two sons, aged 18 and 15.

He lives in the Bradford area.