Calendar Police and Crime Commissioner News

Voters have been urged to head to the polls in two weeks time to elect West Yorkshire's first Police and Crime Commissioner.

Chief Constables will continue to direct and control police forces, but newly-elected Police Commissioners will be responsible for holding them to account.

The Returning Officer for the West Yorkshire Police Area, Joanne Roney, said she wanted "everyone to use their vote".

This is the first time people will vote for a police and crime commissioner for their area.

If you’re not sure what you are voting for, please take the time to read the leaflet that came through your door and visit the Electoral Commission and Home Office websites, we want everyone to use their vote on November 15.

• UK
• Police and Crime Commissioner
• West Yorkshire Police

One of the candidates fighting to become the first Police and Crime Commissioner for the Lincolnshire force has withdrawn.

Mervyn Barrett - who was standing as an independent candidate - says he's pulled out of the race after discovering he'd been "the victim of a bizarre and hugely embarrassing deception" by the person who was acting as his campaign manager.

It follows newspaper claims he was being "secretly backed" by companies pushing for police privatisation.

• Politics
• Police and Crime Commissioner
• Mervyn Barrett