Tributes to former top detective, 54 (From Gazette & Herald)

Tributes to former top detective, 54

HEARTFELT tributes have been paid following the sudden death of a former top detective who turned his expertise to tackling antisocial behaviour in rural North Yorkshire.

Brian Taylor had just retired as a Detective Chief Superintendent with West Yorkshire Police after 36 years, when he came to work for the Safer Ryedale Partnership, based at Malton, in July as an antisocial behaviour co-ordinator.

The 54-year-old died suddenly in his Hunmanby home on Wednesday evening. He leaves a wife and children.

He was crime advisor to the Chief Constable of West Yorkshire while simultaneously holding the post of head of murder and major investigations for West Yorkshire.

As a result of his work in Ryedale, a 15-year-old yob was banned from going within 100 yards of any school in Ryedale in one antisocial behaviour order.

Inspector Neil Burdett, Ryedale area commander, said: "Ryedale police are deeply saddened and shocked by the sudden and untimely death of Brian Taylor. Brian's vast policing experience made him the ideal candidate for Ryedale's first antisocial behaviour co-ordinator and in the short space of time in which we had been working together, Brian was able to fill us with a real sense of confidence and belief that here was a man who could really make a difference in Ryedale.

"His dry, but warm, sense of humour and wealth of experience will be sadly missed by those of us who were looking forward to a long and prosperous relationship. Our thoughts are with his wife and family."

Updated: 12:38 Saturday, January 08, 2005