Detective Steve Snow has been appointed to a top regional post, tackling serious and organised crime across the whole of Yorkshire.

Detective Inspector Snow has been made Head of Regional Operations for Yorkshire and the Humber.

He will be responsible for managing and co-ordinating major crime and drugs investigations and bringing them to an effective conclusion, and using intelligence to support police operations.

He is so far the only detective inspector with the newly-formed Regional Operations Unit, part of the Regional Collaboration Team which co-ordinates cross-border working between the four Yorkshire forces.

The Regional Operations Unit, led by Detective Chief Superintendent Martyn Bates, focuses on tackling and disrupting serious and organised crime such as drug trafficking and money laundering, working to support local forces.

Det Insp Snow joined Bradford South Police in January last year after eight years with West Yorkshire Police's Organised Crime Team. He had previously worked as a detective sergeant at Odsal and with the Drugs and Surveillance Squads.

During his time at Bradford South, Det Insp Snow was involved in Operation Garvagh, a significant investigation into serious and organised crime throughout the UK and Europe, and led Operation Beethoven, investigating a series of armed robberies at business premises in West and North Yorkshire resulting in 15-year jail sentences.

He said: "I had a fantastic time in Bradford. It is an exceptionally busy place, which makes it both challenging and rewarding. I worked with some really good people there and they will continue to work tirelessly in order to police the needs of the community.

"This is an exciting opportunity to be involved in the new organisation, tackling serious and organised crime across the Yorkshire and Humber region, and I am looking forward to working with new partners and other agencies."

A spokesman for the Regional Collaboration Team said Det Insp Snow's "impressive career and expertise in tackling serious and organised crime" would make him a valuable member of the new team.