SIR Peter Fahy is to step down as chief constable of Greater Manchester Police after seven years in the job.

The 56-year-old will bring to an end a 34-year career in policing when he steps down in October.

He said serving as chief constable had been a "privilege", and said it was time for someone else to bring fresh ideas to the role.

Sir Peter is set to become the chief executive of street children's charity Retrak, having previously worked with them on a voluntary basis.

Police said a normal application process would be open for a replacement, and the successful candidate should be in place by the time of Sir Peter's departure.

Born in East London, Sir Peter joined the police in 1981 and succeeded Michael Todd as head of GMP in 2008, having previously been chief constable of Cheshire Police.

Sir Peter said: “Now is the right time to leave policing.

“It has been a great privilege to serve the people of Greater Manchester and to lead the wonderfully dedicated staff of Greater Manchester Police.

“It has always been my intention to leave during the autumn of this year.

“I have led the force through four years of budget cuts and staffing reductions but despite this we have achieved significant improvements in service, increased public confidence and reduced crime and anti-social behaviour.

“It is now time for someone else to bring fresh ideas for what will be more challenging years ahead."

In his role as chief constable, Sir Peter faced a health and safety charge after one of his officers shot dead unarmed Deane father Anthony Grainger, in 2012.

However Sir Peter, who denied the charge, was not prosecuted after the case was dropped earlier this year.

His time in office included the 2012 murders of policewomen Nicola Hughes and Fiona Bone by Dale Cregan, and the mass poisoning of patients at Stepping Hill hospital in Stockport by nurse Victorino Chua.

On his new role with Retrak, he added: "It is a great charity rescuing hundreds of children every year and with the potential to grow further.

“It fits in well with my interest in child protection and child welfare issues in this country. I am very excited by this new challenge.”

The father-of-four was knighted in the 2012 Birthday Honours list for services to policing.

A University of Hull graduate, Sir Peter worked in Surrey, Hertfordshire and the West Midlands before becoming a chief constable.

Following Sir Peter’s announcement, police and crime commissioner Tony Lloyd said he was a “credit to Greater Manchester”.

He said: “Greater Manchester has been fortunate to have a leader of such distinction to guide the force through the enormous challenges faced in policing and across the public sector.

“Through his tireless commitment to public service, Sir Peter has become a highly respected figure both locally and nationally."