WEST Somerset's new police chief has come full circle by returning to the area where he began his career. Inspector Nic Crocker, pictured left with retiring Minehead sector commander Inspector Keith Bridges, started as a police constable in the town in 1986 and served there for the following four years. His return comes after almost 20 years in the force in which he has been a drug squad and CID detective and latterly a sector deputy at both Burnham and Taunton. And he has made it clear that he is keen to build on the Minehead sector's already strong community links. "I greatly enjoyed my early years in Minehead and I am really happy to be coming back to an area which has already benefited from extensive partnership work with West Somerset District Council and others," said Mr Crocker. "I share the values and views of my predecessor in that the police can achieve only so much alone; working in partnership with communities and other relevant agencies can yield much more." Mr Crocker will take up his new post in West Somerset after being a major part of Taunton's drive against anti-social behaviour and drink- related violence in the town centre. Encouraging community involvement and maintaining already promising burglary and vehicle crime reduction are some of his goals as he takes up his new post. "This beautiful area has levels of crime and disorder that the rest of the country is rightly envious of. "Despite that, issues surrounding alcohol and drug misuse remain and although instances of burglary and vehicle crime are low, everyone has a responsibility to take and stay vigilant. "I join a successful team of well motivated officers, police community support officers and staff, who are determined to play their full part in maintaining a high quality of life for our residents and visitors." Mr Crocker said that among the issues he was keen to address were the ways the police communicated locally and helping people to understand better their prospects of becoming a victim and what they can do to reduce the low likelihood still further. "I also want to provide reassuring visibility, while taking effective measures to detect and reduce crime by targeting the small number who offend in West Somerset." Mr Bridges, who received praise from Minehead town councillors last week for his time at the helm, is retiring to France with his family. Photo: Steve Guscott.