MEET the new chief inspector for Denbighshire and Conwy rural areas.

Andrew Williams, who is based in Rhyl, has been a North Wales Police officer for 24 years.

His area covers the whole of Denbighshire and extends to Abergele along the coast.

CI Williams has worked across the force in a variety of capacities, mainly within the detective provision.

He was most recently based in crime services, being a detective chief inspector in the Protective Vulnerable People Unit. He was responsible for areas such as child and vulnerable adult protection, domestic abuse policy, honour based abuse, rape investigation as well as serious sexual offences and the monitoring and management of violent and registered sex offenders.

CI Williams said: "I want to ensure that we continue to build on the considerable work achieved in partnership with local authorities.

"My drive is to support the district inspectors and staff and establish effective networks with other agencies and organisations to problem solve and ensure we put appropriate interventions or support in place early on, before a problem escalates.

"Presently the main issues are in and around Rhyl, which like many seaside towns around the UK, has its own set of challenges.

"However, there is a real desire within partner organisations to regenerate the area and as can be seen locally, the fruits of significant investment are now coming into place.

"I am keen for the police to be actively involved in this as we have an important role to play in creating the right environment for people.”

The CI is keen to work and build a partnership with businesses to ensure a safe night time economy, not only in Rhyl, but in Denbigh, Ruthin, Abergele and surrounding areas.

"He added: "In a bid to resolve some of the issues, local police will be embarking on a 'time for home' initiative - based on a premise that if someone is drunk, they will not be further served alcohol in any licensed premises.

"Licensees are in a responsible position in that they are key to making society safer.

"Alcohol causes more problems within our communities than I would say any other drug. Over consumption of alcohol does a number of things; simply speaking it can make people very vulnerable to crime and it can make people feel think they can take on the world. This quite obviously has a knock on effect – be it domestic abuse, public disorder and violent and sexual assaults."