SUPERINTENDENT Louise Harrison has described the police officers in St Helens as the best she "has ever worked with" as she prepares to leave the borough for a new role.

Supt Harrison took up the job of area commander five years ago and in that time her key challenges have included leading the borough's fight against knife crime, the policing of events and improving public safety.

Her spell as St Helens' police chief has also witnessed some of the most heart-wrenching of cases – such as the hit-and-run that claimed the life of four-year-old Violet-Grace Youens in 2017 – and the death of Danny Fox in 2016.

At the same time, she has had to respond to funding cuts faced by the force and other public services.

She is leaving the role to take up another position with Merseyside Police.

Speaking to the Star on her time in the borough, she said: "I've been here for nearly five years and I have loved working here, it is an exciting opportunity for me to move on to but I am leaving behind the best set of police officers and partners I've ever worked with.

"In my time in this role the most rewarding part of my job have been getting to know the community of St Helens.

"I've never experienced the sense of community I have here anywhere else.

"The community support the police and we want to deliver the best for them alongside our amazing partners.

"The challenge of my time here though has most definitely been the cuts that not just the force has come under but other services as well.

"But, saying that, I have also seen teams across the board pull together in difficult circumstances to provide the best for the St Helens community in spite of it and I am and they should be very proud."