A FOND farewell has been bid to a Borders police chief as he heads off to pastures new.

Chief Inspector Vinnie Fisher, local area commander for the Borders, takes on a central role within the Lothian & Scottish Borders Division from Monday (October 30).

His position as local area commander will be assumed by Chief Inspector Stuart Fletcher, who, like CI Fisher, began his policing career in the Borders.

CI Fisher became the region's local area commander in November 2020, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Since that time CI Fisher and his team have supported the policing of significant events on the world stage; COP26, the death of her late Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II and more recently the UCI Cycling World  Championships.

Additionally, he has been at the helm during a sprinkling of severe weather events, not least Storm Arwen, the return of the busy summer festivals seasons and during the exodus of officers as a consequence of recent pension reform.

Thanks for his service were offered at a meeting of Scottish Borders Council on Thursday (October 26).

Council convenor Watson McAteer said: “Chief Inspector Fisher has been a highly effective leader, very approachable and accommodating and we will miss his huge contribution to the safety and security of our communities.

“We wish him well as he takes on his new challenge and we also take the opportunity to welcome Chief Inspector Stuart Fletcher, another who started his police career here in the Borders. We wish him well as he takes to his new role.”