Lancashire Constabulary has today appointed a new Assistant Chief Constable.

Terry Woods, currently Chief Superintendent at Lancashire Constabulary will take over from ACC Mark Bates when he retires this summer.

The appointment of ACC Woods comes just a month after Sunita Gamblin, formally a Chief Superintendent at Derbyshire, was recruited to replace Deputy Chief Constable Andy Rhodes when he takes up the position of Chief Constable in June, creating a new Chief Officer group at Lancashire.

Terry Woods has worked at Lancashire Constabulary for 21 years, starting as a Constable at Burnley and subsequently working across Lancashire at Blackburn, Accrington, Preston and Blackpool.

He said: "It is an absolute honour to have been selected as an ACC in Lancashire, a county I have been proud to serve for 21 years. I would like to thank all those who have supported me including staff, partner organisations and particularly my family. I look forward to playing my part in the future of Policing and serving the communities of Lancashire going forward."

DCC Andy Rhodes said: "I am delighted that Terry will be joining our new team and his knowledge of Lancashire's communities and operational challenges will be a real asset for us. Terry has a hard earned reputation and will bring fresh insights to our plans for the future."

Lancashire Police and Crime Commissioner Clive Grunshaw added: "This is an exciting time in Lancashire Constabulary with a new leadership team building on a solid and high performing legacy of their predecessors. A new team brings new momentum and innovation helping us to meet new challenges and I am looking forward to working with the new Assistant Chief Constable Terry Woods and the rest of the senior management team on delivering my police and crime plan for Lancashire."

Arrangements will now be made regarding ACC Terry Woods start date and his immediate responsibilities.