A FORMER Forest detective who vowed to save Coleford' s police HQ from closure has been elected as the county's first Police and Crime Commissioner

Ex-cop Martin Surl won the election on Friday.

His election will have major implications for the police and the district council.

During his campaign he asked the Audit Committee to investigate the cost of turning downstairs at the council HQ into the Forest's only police station.

The Independent beat four other candidates to be elected the first ever PCC with the power to hire and fire the Chief Constable, set the budget and monitor the force.

Gloucestershire Constabulary's Chief Constable Mick Matthews announced his decision to resign this week and congratulated Mr Surl on his appointment.

"Today marks the start of what I am sure will be a strong working relationship between the Constabulary and the Commissioner to deliver our purpose of keeping people safe from harm and inspiring the highest levels of confidence in us, their local police," he said.

"The Constabulary is committed to working positively with the PCC in the future to ensure the focus remains upon delivering a police force that best serves our communities in Gloucestershire."

Full story in this week's Forester