BRIGHTON and Hove's top cop is leaving his post after three-and-a-half years.

Chief Superintendent Nev Kemp is moving on from his role as the city’s divisional commander and has taken up the position of assistant chief constable for local policing and public protection after passing a senior police national assessment. He passes on the mantle to former, superintendent Lisa Bell, who headed up Sussex Police's professional standards department.

Mr Kemp is a Brighton born and bred policeman who joined Sussex Police in 1995 as a constable and has previously been head of crime investigations Brighton and Hove and head of the force protecting vulnerable people branch.

He said: "I knew I could not stay forever in my role at Brighton and Hove but I will miss it. Most of all I will miss the officers and staff that make the division such an exceptional place.

"I have worked with some truly inspirational people both within Sussex Police and outside with our partner agencies and I have learnt so much. I am leaving the division in the capable hands of chief superintendent Lisa Bell, who has taken over the role."