Epsom’s dynamic police inspector has left the borough to work on a project to get Surrey and Sussex police forces to cooperate and save them money.
Inspector Craig Knight, who has been neighbourhood inspector for Epsom and Ewell for three-and-a-half years, stepped down from his role on Friday.
The architect-turned-policeman, has taken up a new position helping develop policing models designed to save money by ensuring greater collaboration between the two police forces.
Enthusiastic Inspector Knight takes part in the Iron Copper challenge
He said: "I will still be out and about, doing public order work and the like, but less so.
"This is more of a strategic role.
"We will be looking at trying to get the structures right to tackle the budget deficits of both forces which will be particularly important in terms of their long-term financial objectives.
"In means doing things in more cost-effective ways for both forces.
"The way we do things will be slightly different.
"We need to identify our best practices and opportunities to amalgamate systems and processes and making sure we do whatever we can do to make Surrey and Sussex work collaboratively to reduce both budget deficit while enhancing service delivery.
"This isn’t about people getting a worse service on the street."
The popular policeman, who lives in Sussex, said he was asked if he wanted to join the project team as he has had previous experience of this type of work.
He added: "I’ve absolutely loved my job in Epsom. It has been a privilege.
"I am sad to go but excited for my future in my new role."
Insp Knight said one highlight of his time was taking part in a Harlem Shake in The Ashley Centre.
Inspector Knight loved getting involved in a Harlem Shake at The Ashley Centre last year
"There have been so many highlights.
"The team that I have been privileged to work with - they have all done such an outstanding job," he added.
"Crime has fallen consistently in Epsom and Ewell in the last three-and-a-half years.
"There are challenges of course and they won’t stop when I leave but the team is working hard to make inroads on those.
"I couldn’t have done it without the people of Epsom and Ewell."
He said Michael Hodder, who has worked as his neighbourhood sergeant for Epsom and Ewell, will take up the position of neighbourhood inspector for Epsom and Ewell temporarily while a permanent appointment is made within the next six weeks.
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