24 January 2012 Last updated at 08:11 ET

David Crompton appointed new South Yorkshire Police chief

Mr Crompton was previously deputy chief at West Yorkshire Police

A new chief constable of South Yorkshire Police has been appointed.

David Crompton takes over from Med Hughes who retired from the role in October after seven years at the helm.

The 48-year-old joins the force from West Yorkshire Police where he has been deputy chief constable since 2008.

The police authority said Mr Crompton had "fantastic credentials and experience" and faced a "difficult test in guiding South Yorkshire Police through a tough economic climate".

Mr Crompton, who will take up the role in the next few weeks, said he was "looking forward to the challenge".

"It is a great honour and privilege to become chief constable of South Yorkshire Police, a force which has a fantastic reputation as one of the best in the country.

"I am looking forward to the challenge of leading the force through what is a significant transitional period for policing across the UK.

"We will have to successfully manage the reduction in our budgets, changes to our partner agencies and the impact this will have on communities across South Yorkshire."

Charles Perryman, who chairs the police authority, said Mr Crompton would be "be a real asset to the county".

Bob Dyson, South Yorkshire Police temporary chief constable, said: "David joins us at a challenging time but the force is well placed to meet those challenges."