ACC Louise Harrison is joining the force which protects civil nuclear sites and nuclear materials across the UK after a secondment with Counter Terrorism North West. As Strategic Regional Lead Officer she worked for the Prevent strand of the CONTEST strategy.

Before that she was a Strategic Firearms Commander for Merseyside Police where she has enjoyed a 27-year career.

Her roles there have also included being Local Policing Commander for the town of St Helens. Early in her policing career Louise served as a front-line authorised firearms officer and a sergeant in the mounted section amongst other roles.

She shared on Twitter about her last day in her old role: “Today has been the hard bit ... saying goodbye to the wonderful teams in CT policing - and of course Merseyside Police - my policing family for the past 27 years - colleagues who’ve become life-long friends.”

Announcing her new role ACC Harrison said: “I am delighted to have been given this opportunity to join the CNC. I had some experience of working with CNC police officers in my previous role during operation Temperer and I was impressed with their professionalism and positive attitude. The CNC is a great organisation and I look forward to helping the force achieve its ambitions.”

CNC Chief Constable Simon Chesterman said: “Louise is a highly respected police officer and has a reputation for having an inclusive style of leadership, which will suit the CNC. I am delighted that such a high calibre officer has chosen to join the CNC and I am very much looking forward to working with her.”