AN inspector who led policing in a Hampshire town for two years has told of her disappointment after being moved to a new post.

Bernadette Smith who fronted Romsey’s Safer Neighbourhoods team, is now leading a unit based at Lyndhurst. She is being replaced by Jackie Willson in April – and until then Interim Inspector Darius Hemmatpour is taking temporary charge at the town’s police station.

The move is part of a shake up of inspector staffing in the area’s Operational Command Unit (OCU).

Inspector Smith said: “I am disappointed to leave Romsey but recognise that senior management have to make decisions about how to best use resources.”

She will now lead the Safer Streets teams for the Western OCU dealing with licensing matters, Country Watch and the government-led counter terrorism PREVENT strategy.

Her replacement, Inspector Willson, is being drafted in from the Western OCU’s Performance Team.

Test Valley District Chief Inspector Gavin McMillan said the changes were designed to offer staff new experiences.