Hunt for new police chief is under way

The hunt was today starting for a new West Midlands Police chief constable after Sir Paul Scott-Lee said he was leaving.

It is not yet clear what Sir Paul, in post for seven years, intends to do after he announced he would not be renewing his contract when it ends on April 30 next year.

West Midlands Police Authority said it would have been delighted to have extended it but that Sir Paul felt the time was right for someone else to take over.

Chairwoman Diana Holl-Allen said today: "In his seven years as chief constable, the people of the West Midlands have enjoyed unprecedented reductions in crime. Overall crime is currently at its lowest for 18 years and, just as importantly, our communities tell us they are feeling safer.

"Sir Paul has always been driven by a personal commitment to improving the quality of life for all of our communities, as reflected in the delivery of his vision for the force of reducing crime and the fear of crime and making people feel safer."

Sir Paul has guided the force through difficult times over recent years including the terror plot to kidnap and behead a British Muslim soldier in Birmingham and the New Year shootings in Aston in January 2003.

He said deciding to leave was "undoubtedly one of the hardest decisions" of his career and that it was a privilege to lead the force.

It is thought unlikely he will go for the job of commissioner of the Metropolitan Police - to become vacant as Sir Ian Blair steps down on December 1. Police figures show West Midlands crime at the end of 2007/8 was at its lowest level for 18 years and the level of reduction was the second best since the force formed in 1974.

By Michelle Pearson