Police who look after Slough, Windsor and the surrounding Thames Valley area have a new Lead Chaplain.

Reverend Helen Arnold, 55, will co-ordinate a team of around 30 volunteer chaplains who provide personal and spiritual care to the force’s officers, staff and their families. She takes over from the Reverend Canon David Wilbraham, who was Thames Valley Police chaplain for over 10 years before being recently licensed as the National Police Chaplain.

She said: "This is an exciting post which recognises the valuable contribution of chaplaincy in supporting police officers, staff and their families in their commitment to provide a vital public service in increasingly difficult times.

“I look forward to working with the team of chaplains who offer their insights, skills and experience to the police in this way and especially to meeting many new colleagues and getting to know and become known in the communities which they serve."

Miss Arnold joined Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge, as Chaplain in 2014. She was born and educated in Scotland.

After graduating from Edinburgh University, she moved to London where she qualified as a social worker. After a varied career including working for the Rural Development Agency, a management training consultancy, a North-East Children's Charity and as manager of a young people's mental health project in Melbourne, Australia, she was ordained in 2006 in the Diocese of Newcastle.

She is married and has two daughters aged 21 and 23.

Commenting on the appointment Chief Constable Francis Habgood said: “I am delighted to welcome Helen to Thames Valley Police. Our volunteer chaplain team has grown substantially under the stewardship of the Reverend Canon David Wilbraham and are the source of great care and support for our officers, staff and volunteers.”