Police chief wants county to be safest in UK

Ivan Balhatchet joined Northamptonshire Police in 2000, serving as a senior investigating officer and hostage negotiator

The likely new chief constable of Northamptonshire Police has told a police, fire and crime panel confirmation hearing that he wants to make Northamptonshire the "safest county in the UK".

Ivan Balhatchet has served as interim chief constable of Northamptonshire Police since October 2023.

Northamptonshire's Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Danielle Stone named him to replace Nick Adderley, following his sacking for inventing key details of his career.

Mr Balhatchet told the panel he wanted to "rebuild trust and confidence in the police".

The Police, Fire and Crime Panel meeting took place at Angel Square in Northampton

Mr Balhatchet was born and grew up in the county.

He joined Northamptonshire Police in 2000, serving as a senior investigating officer and hostage negotiator.

He also led the Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Command in London and held senior positions with the Metropolitan Police, pioneering initiatives like live facial recognition.

He returned to Northamptonshire in 2022, rising from assistant chief constable to interim chief constable following the dismissal of Mr Adderley.

Mr Balhatchet told the panel he would soon be launching his three-year plan.

"Trust and confidence is really low, it's the lowest it has ever been I need to rebuild that," he said.

Danielle Stone said Ivan Balhatchet's passion for the county was clear

Ms Stone said: "Ivan has been the interim chief constable through a really challenging year and shown in his work and at interview his passion for the county and for working with partners and communities."

The meeting lasted just over an hour before the panel went into a private session to decide on the appointment.