HAMPSHIRE Constabulary's new chief constable has pledged to focus on delivering the best possible service to all communities in Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

In his first message to officers and staff, the county's top policeman, Chief Constable Alex Marshall, said he will concentrate of three key areas: providing an excellent service, catching criminals and delivering an active police presence in every neighbourhood.

Until the end of the year the new chief constable will spend as much time as possible with the force's operational command units and departments.

"I want to see how we operate, and I will listen to the views of all staff. The best ideas for improvement normally come from those delivering the service," he said.

"Before the end of the year I will be speaking to as many frontline staff and all staff across the organisation as I possibly can, as well as the public, to establish the best way to take Hampshire from its current strong position to an even better position."

Since taking up his new role on October 16 he has spent time with officers at Southampton, the Isle of Wight, Hythe, Winchester and Andover.

He said one of the highlights of his visits was the time spent with the Public Protection Unit on the Isle of Wight.

"It was impressive to see how well high-risk offenders were being managed. We have a duty to protect the public from dangerous, predatory and persistent offenders.

"We need to catch them and, then work with other agencies to closely manage these high-risk individuals.

"By the end of my visit I got a real sense that policing across the island was joined up."

Chief Constable Marshall also praised the quality of police commanders and department heads he has.

"I am impressed with the talent we have at this level. If we are clear about what we want to achieve we have the leaders to get there."

When he has met and listened to more officers and staff, he promises to give a clear guide to the future.

"What I will offer from the very start is a strong sense of purpose. I look forward to working with you all."

Former Chief Constable Paul Kernaghan said: "I congratulate Alex Marshall on his selection to succeed me as the chief constable of Hampshire Constabulary.

"He will, in my view, be inheriting the best job in the British police service."

Mr Marshall spent the first 20 years of his career with the Metropolitan Police.

In 2000 he moved to the Cambridgeshire Constabulary and then to the Home Office as a national bureaucracy advisor.

In 2004 he became assistant chief constable for Thames Valley Police. He went to Cambridge University where he read Criminology and he achieved a Masters degree in 2006.