First grilling for new policing boss

Bedfordshire’s first elected policing boss laid out his early plans this week, when he met the panel who will scrutinise his work.

Olly Martins was elected last month as Police and Crime Commissioner last month, overseeing policing across the county.

On Tuesday he met the Police And Crime Panel, which is made up of 10 elected members from the three councils in the Bedfordshire police force area alongside two independent lay members.

The panel heard about Mr Martins’ work to develop a Police And Crime Plan, and discussed the importance of partnership working, policing in rural and urban areas as well as his role in crime prevention.

The panel also appointed its first chair, councillor Fiona Chapman of Central Bedfordshire Council, and vice-chairman councillor Colleen Atkins, of Bedford Borough Council.

The panel’s next meeting will be a confirmation hearing for the Deputy Police And Crime Commissioner Tafheen Sharif December 17.