A FAMILIAR face around Farnham for the last 15 years, Pc Chris Skillicorn-Aston, is set to move on to pastures new.

Having patrolled the town centre streets since 2000, Chris will soon depart for a new role with the force’s integrated offender management unit based in Guildford, addressing the behaviour of some of Waverley and Surrey Heath’s most prolific offenders.

The role will see him build on his time as a Neighbourhood Officer, working with a broad range of partners many of whom he has forged good relationships with over the years.

Chris told The Herald: “While I’m really excited about taking up my new post I have loved every minute of my time at Farnham and still remember the nerves and excitement of arriving at the police station for my very first day – when I ended up arresting somebody for theft of somebody else’s shoes on a train!

“I feel extremely lucky to have spent so long in such a vibrant town with its real sense of character and community and where I feel that I’ve had the opportunity to make a real difference.

“I’m pretty sure I’ve worn my footprints into the pavements in one or two places and I’d like to thank the whole of Farnham for making my time here so happy and fulfilling.”

Chris, a prolific artist and sculptor in his spare time, spent the first two years of his policing career in the borough policing team at Farnham police s­tation before becoming the Neighbourhood Specialist Officer for Farnham town in 2002.

In 2009, he was commended by the force for going above and beyond the call of duty in identifying the culprit in a series of burglaries in the town, pulling together enough information to get a search warrant for the suspect’s address where stolen property was subsequently found.

Waverley Neighbourhood Sergeant Steph Saunders said: “Chris has been a familiar face around Farnham and a well-respected member of the Safer Neighbourhood Team.

“He’s been a positive asset and although we’ll miss him day to day, we’re looking forward to working closely with him in his new role.”