NEW DIRECTOR-GENERAL OF NCIS

15 Jan 2003 09:45 AM

Peter Hampson QPM has been appointed as the new Director-General of the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS), Home Secretary David Blunkett announced today. He succeeds John Abbott who retires in March 2003 following five and half years of service as NCIS Director-General.

Home Secretary David Blunkett said:

"I am very pleased to announce the appointment of Peter Hampson as the new Director-General of the National Criminal Intelligence Service. He will bring his immense experience, commitment and clear-thinking energy to this key role.

"With Peter on board, I am confident that the National Criminal Intelligence Service will become even more effective in the fight against serious and organised crime at national and international level.

"I would also like to pay tribute to the work of John Abbott over his term of office. He has played a vital role in leading the organisation through a time of significant growth and development and has demonstrated immense personal commitment to NCIS."

Peter Hampson said:

"I am delighted to be appointed as Director General and am looking forward to working with colleagues in the National Criminal Intelligence Service and with those in partner agencies.

"There are significant challenges ahead for criminal intelligence, which following the good work of John Abbott, NCIS is well placed to meet. "

Biographical Details:

Peter Hampson QPM has been the Chief Constable of West Mercia Constabulary since 1999. From 1967 to 1994, he served in the Metropolitan Police in all ranks from Constable to Chief Superintendent. In 1994 he became Assistant Chief Constable of Crime and Operations in Surrey and then worked as an Assistant Inspector of Constabulary from 1996 until 1999. For the last 12 months he has held the Chair of the ACPO Crime Business Area.

Notes to Editors

1. Peter Hampson will succeed John Abbott as Director General of NCIS. John Abbott will retire on the 21st March 2003 after five and a half years as Director General of NCIS.

2. The National Criminal Intelligence Service is a multi-agency organisation. Its role is to develop intelligence to combat serious and organised crime, providing both tactical and strategic intelligence and expertise for law enforcement, government and other relevant agencies at a national and international level.

3. Section 6 of the Police Reform Act 1997 - which provides the legislative framework for appointing the Director-General - was amended in the Police Reform Act 2002 to open up the post of Director-General to non- police officers for the first time.