County figures standing down

Two long-serving Shropshire men have stood down from leading positions.

Assistant Chief Constable Peter Wright is retiring after 30 years with West Mercia Constabulary.

And David Tudor, the chairman of Shropshire’s West Mid Agricultural Society, has stepped down after four years at the helm.

Mr Wright joined the force in 1978, working as a uniformed bobby at locations including Ludlow, and has spent his entire career with West Mercia.

He led West Mercia’s 2000+ programme, introducing the concepts of local policing, partnership policing, responsive policing and targeted policing.

In 1999 Mr Wright was made divisional commander of his home county of Shropshire and served in that role, based at Shrewsbury, until 2004. He was appointed assistant chief constable (territorial operations) in February 2006 and has been heavily involved in developing professional policing and training.

The father-of-three said: “Being divisional commander of my home county of Shropshire was special because I felt I was making a real contribution to the community I lived in and belonged to.”

Mr Tudor stood down on Wednesday when he was presented with a bronze labrador ornament in recognition of his hard work over the past four years.

The departing chairman said the society had suffered a number of blows this year which could have led to bankruptcy if they had happened in previous years.

But he praised the dedication and work of trustees who helped ensure that 2008 was still a success for the society.