Newbury’s top cop is leaving for Oxford at the end of the month, and said this week that he had left West Berkshire’s policing in good shape.

Supt Jim Trotman is handing over the reins to his former second in command Supt Paul Kirkland, who has most recently been running the Thames Valley enquiries department.

Newbury police have faced criticism after the Pemberton shootings in Hermitage, nearly two years ago. Supt Trotman said his team had been “tested” on this, and other occasions.

He said today: “I have really enjoyed the last three-and-a-half years at West Berkshire and, during that time, our work with partners has led to a 25 per cent reduction in crime. Within that, there have been some spectacular successes, particularly in relation to vehicle crime.

“The area has been tested on a number of extreme occasions, such as the Hermitage shooting, the Ufton Nervet rail crash and the support we have given to the operations at RAF Welford and Fairford during the last Gulf War.

“At the other end of the spectrum, the progress we have made in the new, neighbourhood-style policing has been exceptional and we were delighted to be given the opportunity to pilot the National Reassurance Policing Programme in Greenham and Burghfield.

“NRPP has been a huge success and a report is due in the Autumn which will show what a positive impact this style of policing has had on communities in the area. NRPP is the approach on which Neighbourhood Policing, which is being rolled out across Thames Valley, is based and I am pleased we had a chance to develop it in West Berkshire.”

He added: “Policing West Berkshire has been a unique challenge as it is a large, rural area, but with the M4 corridor running through it, creates some policing issues for us. Reaching rural communities and making policing accessible for them continues to be a challenge for us.

“However, I have worked hard in West Berkshire and take great pride in the strides officers and partner agencies have already made. I would like to think I have left the police area in a strong position, one that enables it to be evolved and enhanced further by Supt Kirkland.”