The Major Investigation Team (MIT) -which will consist of 30 officers - is expected to increase response times to serious crime such as murder and rape.

At present, a senior investigating officer at Norfolk Police sets up an inquiry team when a major incident is reported, a spokesman said.

The MIT - which will have bases in Norwich, Dereham and Caister - will start work in September.

Appeal for staff

Det Supt Alison Newcomb, who is heading the team, said: "Norfolk is a safe part of the country... and crime is falling in a number of key areas. But we are not immune to the more serious types of crime.

"We wanted to move over to the MIT format, which has been adopted by other forces nationwide, as it means that, for the first time, we will have a team of staff whose primary role is investigating major crime."

The team will also review unsolved cases, in the light of advances in DNA techniques.