Deputy police and crime commissioner to step down

Rani Mahal has served as deputy PCC for two years

Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland's deputy police and crime commissioner is stepping down from the role.

Rani Mahal was first appointed in 2022 and agreed to continue in the position following Conservative Rupert Matthews' re-election as police and crime commissioner (PCC) in May.

Mahal confirmed she was leaving the role during a meeting of the Police and Crime Panel, which scrutinises the PCC's work, on Monday.

She told the meeting she had made the decision as she expected her work as a Harborough District councillor to become "increasingly intense as work around the unprecedented levels of housing development increases".

The Conservative councillor added: "I want to work as hard as I can for the residents of Harborough."

Paying tribute in the meeting, the PCC said his deputy had done "a huge amount of work over those two years".

He added: "She's been absolutely invaluable to me."

Asked if a replacement deputy will be appointed, a spokesperson for the PCC said Matthews is "considering the way forward...but considers he needs the capacity for one."