THE chief constable of Surrey Police, Lynne Owens, is set to leave the force to take a prestigious new post as director general of the National Crime Agency (NCA).

News of Ms Owens' departure was announced on Thursday, less than a fortnight after the chief constable unveiled Surrey Police would have to axe up to 400 jobs to meet £25m budget cuts demanded by central government.

Ms Owens has served as chief constable of Surrey Police since February 2012, succeeding Mark Rowley on his appointment as assistant commissioner of the Metropolitan Police.

In that time she has been forced to respond to harsh budget cuts by selling off much of the police estate, including Farnham and Haslemere police stations, and sharing more services with neighbouring forces.

As director general of the NCA, seen as one of the top policing jobs in the country, she will lead the fight against new threats from firearms, cyber criminals and child abusers.

She is due to take on her new role in the new year.

Ms Owens said: "I am absolutely delighted to be selected to lead the National Crime Agency and I look forward to taking on this challenge.

"I intend to build on the outstanding contribution of the outgoing director general, Keith Bristow, and all those in the agency working, with partners, to cut serious and organised crime.

"The threats to the UK from serious and organised crime are changing and the agency will need to continue to build and flex its capabilities accordingly.

“Whether it be stemming the availability of illegal firearms, the fight against organised immigration crime, the threat presented by those who abuse children or the growth in cyber and economic crime, the work required is significant and I have no doubt the agency can continue to rise to that challenge.

"In accepting this new role I must pay tribute to the officers, staff and volunteers of Surrey Police who are unstinting in their efforts to keep people safe from harm.

“It has been an absolute privilege to be their Chief Constable and I am indeed indebted for their support, determination and good humour.”