COPENHAGEN, Oct 3, 2008 (AFP) - Senior Danish police officer Kaj Vittrup has been named the new head of the European Union's police mission in Afghanistan (EUPOL), Denmark's foreign ministry said in a statement Friday.

The 65-year-old, who takes over from German Jurgen Scholz on October 15, has previously worked in Iraq, East Timor and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

He was also the United Nations police commissioner in Kosovo (2004-2006) and in Sudan (2006-2008).

'The goal (in Afghanistan) is to create visible results. The people must see a police presence on the streets, a police they trust,' Danish daily Politiken quoted Vittrup as saying on its website.

EUPOL began operating in Afghanistan in 2007 to help build up the country's police force and mentor interior ministry officials.

It is set to double its staff presence in Afghanistan in December from its current figure of 200 personnel, who come from 21 countries and operate in 14 Afghan provinces.