A new police district commander has been appointed for Basingstoke and Deane.

Chief Inspector Hayley O’Grady has taken over from Chief Inspector Scott Johnson, who is now the district commander for the New Forest.

She has joined the district from neighbouring Test Valley, where she has been district commander since January 2023.

Ch Insp O’Grady stepped into the world of policing in 2001, working in a variety of roles in Southampton for 21 years.

She has a broad range of operational experience, including 18 years as a public order officer.

She has also worked as a custody sergeant and became a tactical firearms commander in 2022.

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Chief Inspector Hayley O’Grady has taken over from Chief Inspector Scott Johnson (Image: Hampshire Constabulary) Ch Insp O’Grady has worked to keep the public safe during large public events including international football matches, the 2014 NATO Summit in Wales and the 2012 Olympic Games in Weymouth.

Chief Insp O’Grady said: "I’m delighted to be taking over as the new district commander for Basingstoke and Deane.

"The district has its complexities with a large town and a vast rural landscape, but I see that as a huge opportunity to make a positive impact on a large number of different people.

"Now, my role is to ensure we are targeting and responding to the biggest risks in Basingstoke and Deane and my priorities are to tackle serious violence, sexual offences, domestic abuse and rural crime.

"I want to ensure that we continue to have a cohesive district policing team working in tandem together, including those from neighbourhoods, response, and investigations."