Chief chases down suspect on first night in job

Chief Constable Dave Jones was visiting Catterick Garrison Police Station on Monday on his first day as the boss of North Yorkshire Police.

According to the force, Mr Jones responded when reports came in of a man being assaulted in Richmond town centre.

The new chief had started his shift at midnight and opted to join some of his officers on patrol.

The call came in at around 12.50am.

Mr Jones attended the scene, where local officers had stopped three men in their 20s. One of the suspects ran off and the chief gave chase.

The suspect was spotted trying to climb over a wall down an alley and Mr Jones went after him with another officer who arrested him on suspicion of affray.

Two other men were also arrested in connection with the incident.

Mr Jones said: “It was important for me to get out and see the officers on the ground as soon as possible and it was good to be able to muck in with them so soon into my first shift.

“It was great to get involved, though, and it was good to be out there with them on the front line.”

Catterick Garrison was the first stop for Mr Jones as he toured the county on his first day.

Mr Jones has joined North Yorkshire Police from the Police Service of Northern Ireland, where he was an assistant chief constable.

The new head replaces Grahame Maxwell, who retired a year ago after admitting gross misconduct by helping a relative during a recruitment exercise.

North Yorkshire Police said the three men arrested in Richmond have been released on bail pending further inquiries.