Suffolk's new rural crime lead is relishing his new role heading up a small team of specialists in the force.

Sergeant Chris Green - who succeeded Brian Calver when he moved to a custody role in March - has 18 years of police service under his belt.

Brought up on the Essex/Suffolk border at East Bergholt, he joined Essex police in 2006. Because he lives in Suffolk, he later transferred.

Now aged 39, he's spent many years on the frontline, serving as response sergeant for 10 years around Ipswich town centre, Felixstowe and Hadleigh. His wide experience includes as a neighbourhood officer and a custody sergeant.

(Image: Charlotte Bond)

But at heart he has always been drawn to the countryside, having grown up on a smallholding in one of East Anglia's most famous beauty spots - Constable Country.

He can even boast that he has painted Willy Lott's Cottage - which featured in several of Constable's paintings including The Hay Wain. This was as a young man while he was employed at Flatford Mill.

"I have painted that famous building in lime wash rather than watercolour, " he says. "Obviously, I'm passionate about keeping it nice for people."

So moving to head up the rural beat was a dream come true. 

(Image: Charlotte Bond)

Chris's granny was a horse volunteer for Riding for the Disabled. His grandparents were originally from Christchurch in Ipswich but when they inherited some money decided to move to East Bergholt.

He grew up surrounded by chickens, goats, cows and horses. "You would grow your own veg and fruit. I think we used to sell some eggs. We had about 80 chickens but that was about it. It was more lifestyle," he says. "Sadly, I don't live there any more."

It was through his stepfather that Chris first became interested in joining the force, having initially held ambitions to be in the Royal Marines and even heading down to train in Exeter.

He's always been keen on outdoor sports - walking in the Yorkshire Dales, kayaking or canoeing down the River Stour in the annual Sudbury to the Sea challenge.

He didn't want a desk job, but instead "something with a bit of excitement". "I never saw myself working a nine to five desk job".

"I was always fit and healthy and used to play football for East Bergholt," he says.

(Image: Charlotte Bond)

Policing has enabled him to enjoy an active job - but also one that involves helping people when they are at their lowest ebb.

His latest role means meeting lots of country people and requires empathy with the unique problems they face. Already he has been getting stuck in with rural burglaries and livestock worrying.

Other crimes which are particular to the rural beat are heritage crime - such as the theft of lead from church rooves - and wildlife crime such as the persecution of protected species such as raptors or badgers.

This is a specialist areas which require accredited wildlife crime officer training. He leads a team of three police constables based at Landmark House in Ipswich.

During the summer, the team goes out to farm shows and he has been meeting and greeting members of the public and people who live and work in the countryside as he becomes acquainted with his new beat. 

Many were worried when Brian quit the role but Chris has been reassuring them that the work goes on.

Living in remote rural areas can be isolating and the impact of crime can feel greater, he says.

"Growing up the way I did I have always had an affinity with that kind of stuff," he says.

"I think they are quite relieved when you have a chat with them."

There are many different challenges to urban beats. For one, the countryside isn't covered in CCTV which makes detection harder.

The team's Sophie Buckle, a keen equestrian, has been re-energising horseback volunteers who can play a vital role in monitoring crime in rural areas and they are keen for more to join them.

There's also an issue with under-reporting of some types of crime - and this can have an impact when it comes to allocating resources so he is keen for farmers and landowners to report incidents. WhatsApp groups, CCTV, alarms and sound fencing all make a difference, he says.