DORSET’S new High Sheriff has officially taken up the role.

Sir Philip Williams made his declaration of office as the High Sheriff for Dorset at a ceremony at the Dorset County Museum, Dorchester.

The service announced the nominated High Sheriff of Dorset for the ‘shreival year’ of 2016/17. The High Sheriff supports the judiciary and the Crown and actively lends support and encouragement to crime prevention agencies, the emergency services and to the voluntary sector.

During the ceremony, the former High Sheriff, Mrs Jennifer Coombs, presented the Key of the Poole Town Gaol and a sword to Sir Philip.

He will be following in his mother’s footsteps – Elizabeth, Lady Williams was the first female High Sheriff in 1979 – but he is now following three consecutive women in the post.

Prior to the ceremony Sir Philip said it was an honour and a privilege to take on the role.

The Office of High Sheriff is an independent, non-political royal appointment for a single year. The origins of the office date back to Saxon times, when the ‘Shire Reeve’ was responsible to the king for the maintenance of law and order within the county, and for the collection and return of taxes owed to the Crown.

Today, there are 55 High Sheriffs serving the counties of England and Wales each year.

The High Sheriff is selected or ‘pricked’ from the List of Sheriffs for England and Wales and is carried out on a voluntary basis with no part of the expense falling on the public purse.

Mrs Katharine Jones, partner at Humphries Kirk LLP, is the current Under Sheriff and the High Sheriff can be contacted through her office at 40 High West Street, Dorchester.