A new style police force will be responsible protecting the 65-mile Channel Tunnel rail track from London to Kent.

In charge of the operation is a policewoman who once served in Ashford.

Ch Insp Theresa Ferguson, 46, heads a force with a complement of 24 officers at Ashford which will eventually build up to some 100 at key stations by the time 140mph 'bullet’ trains start up in December, 2009.

The new-style force represents a strategic change of direction for the British Transport Police (BTP).

Ch Insp Ferguson has been appointed sector commander of the Channel Tunnel Rail Link - a division of the BTP.

Her job will be to protect the 65-mile stretch of track from London to the Kent coast.

The team will be linked with top security bodies from France and Britain, including all serious crime agencies.

Ch Insp Ferguson, who once was a senior manager at Ashford’s former National Police Training Centre, said her team will also be backed by specials, Police Community Support Officers, station staff, community wardens, volunteers and residents in the area.

Ch Insp Ferguson’s operation will be intelligence-led, driven in part by terrorist threats, including drug trafficking and the possibility of illegal immigrants.

Ch Insp Ferguson said: “This is a very exciting challenge me.

“Ashford was one of the first locations to establish juxtapose frontier control with the French and this has been used as a model at other locations such as the Port of Dover.

“Ashford is also a good example of how international and domestic services can have a symbiotic relationship outside London.

“In terms of crime, it is my intention to work at keeping crime on the sector low. CTRL crime figures for Ashford are down on the same period last year, and I intend to keep that trend going.”