THE Chief Constable of North Yorkshire has had his contract extended by three years.

Dave Jones was appointed in 2012 for a fixed term due to end in June 2017, and has accepted an extension until June 2020.

Julia Mulligan, Police and Crime Commissioner for North Yorkshire, extended Mr Jones' term and presented her decision to the Police and Crime Panel on Thursday.

She said: "Dave Jones has shown himself to be a successful leader, overseeing positive performance at a time of considerable uncertainty and change within policing."

She had North Yorkshire had remained one of three safest places in the country since 2013.

Mr Jones began on a salary of just over £137,000 but this has increased since 2013 "in line with national pay award," said Ms Mulligan in a written notice.

She said his leadership was "essential to meet the future ongoing significant challenges the police service and force faces".

The decision notice said renewing the contract until nearer the end of Mr Jones's initial term was considered but discounted for the sake of stability and consistency, and because of success so far.

Mr Jones said: "I am absolutely committed to driving through the changes that need to be made to keep North Yorkshire as one of the safest places in the country, and I have a strong team behind me, who share my commitment to providing the best possible service. North Yorkshire Police is in a strong position for the future, and whilst there are plenty of challenges ahead, I am very much looking forward to what the next three years will bring."

He said his family had "fallen in love with North Yorkshire", and he looked forward to bringing up his children in the county.