A RETIRED police inspector is back on the beat, but now he is baking cakes instead of catching criminals.

Bill Bentham, who served with Durham Constabulary for 30 years, has turned entrepreneur by opening his second cafe and bakery.

After launching his first ‘Muffin Break’ in The Galleries arcade, Washington, he has branched out to the Hill Street shopping centre, Middlesbrough, which is set to create 14 new jobs.

The 51-year-old, who used to head up the Spennymoor neighbourhood policing team in County Durham, signed up to a business course after leaving the force in 2011.

After looking at several ventures, decided to buy into the Australian-based Muffin Break franchise.

He approached NatWest bank which along with its asset finance arm, Lombard, loaned him a start up package totalling £192,000.

As well as offering freshly baked muffins the cafe will also be serving breakfasts, lunches and a snacks as well as its speciality coffee.

“It’s exciting to see the business expand and develop. We are really excited about our new opening in Middlesbrough and giving customers the opportunity to enjoy freshly made food, rather than the factory made products served by some of the big chains,” he said.