THE new head of Southampton police was named today as Chief Supt Paul Stickler.

An officer with Hampshire Constabulary for the past 25 years, the 45-year-old takes over from Graham Wyeth, who was promoted to assistant chief constable territorial operations last month.

Since joining the force in 1978, Chief Supt Stickler, pictured above, has served at Gosport, Fleet, Farnborough, with the Regional Crime Squad in Walton-on-Thames, Andover, Winchester and Havant, where he has been superintendent for the past two years.

The bulk of his career has been as a detective with CID, and he spent three months in 1997 with the FBI in America, undertaking the National Academy Course.

Chief Supt Stickler said he was now looking forward to taking over the reins of Hampshire police's largest division.

An avid Saints fan and season ticket holder, overseeing the policing of matches at St Mary's will be among the challenges that lie ahead of him as city commander.

"I am very much looking forward to the challenge of my new position leading the policing of such a complex and busy division," he said.

"My emphasis will be on the quality of work, and making sure that we provide a good service to the people of Southampton."

The hectic division, which includes South-ampton Central, Bitterne, Shirley and Portswood police stations, currently has 487 police officers and more than 150 members of support staff.

Chief Supt Stickler will be based at Southampton Central police station.