THE two police inspectors for Dudley and Sedgley are getting set to leave their posts in the shake-up of policing across the borough.

Dudley sector Inspector Chris Dowen and Sedgley Inspector Victoria Willis are both taking up new roles under the new Programme Paragon.

The two inspectors, who have both been familiar faces in their patches over the years, will be replaced by Inspector Richard Jones - who is currently an Acting Detective Chief Inspector at Brierley Hill.

Inspector Dowen, who has been busy focusing on steering youngsters away from crime with initiatives such as school community rooms and family fun events, will be leaving behind Dudley Police Station to take up the role of Partnership Inspector at Brierley Hill.

The role will allow Inspector Dowen to continue his community cohesion work, as he focuses on building community relationships.

Inspector Dowen said: “I am really proud of what I have achieved in Dudley and I am glad to be staying in the area. But Inspector Jones has a very good background with neighbourhood policing and I am really confident he and I have the same views about policing, so people won’t see any difference in the way the area is policed.”

Meanwhile, Inspector Victoria Willis will be leaving Sedgley Police Station to take on a role at Birmingham’s police headquarters, where she will be dealing with major incidents.

Inspector Willis, said: “I will really miss Sedgley and Gornal areas and the team have been absolutely fantastic but I know Inspector Jones will keep all the initiatives we have set up including the sporting initiatives and Operation Staysafe which have been such a success.

“We have to move on for change and it has been a great community to work with.”

The two inspectors were also taken to meet the Prime Minister last year by Dudley North MP Ian Austin, when they were honoured as ‘Christmas Heroes’ at a Downing Street reception.

Speaking about their departure, Mr Austin said: “Both Chris and Victoria have done superb work in Dudley, Sedgley and Gornal in setting up neighbourhood policing in every community and working hard with residents. I wish them both the best and look forward to working with Richard Jones.”

The two inspectors will both relocate on April 6.