County's police commissioner selects new deputy

Lincolnshire's police and crime commissioner Marc Jones has selected Sara Jayne Munton as his preferred candidate

Lincolnshire's police and crime commissioner Marc Jones has selected his preferred candidate to take over as his deputy.

It comes after the resignation of the previous deputy Philip Clark following reports of an "altercation" at a pub near Lincoln.

Sara Jayne Munton, who is an independent advisory group member for Lincolnshire Police and chair for the Violence Against Women and Girls Voices group, has been selected by Mr Jones.

The appointment now goes to the police and crime panel for approval.

'Important work'

In her personal statement, Ms Munton said she would uphold "the highest of professional standards" in supporting Mr Jones, should she be successful.

“I will engage with communities across the county to ensure that Lincolnshire police decision making is always with the unique needs of the county at the heart of it," she said.

Mr Jones' preferred choice was revealed in council documents due to go before the police and crime panel on Friday.

In a statement, he said: “Here in Lincolnshire I have, as ever, an ambitious agenda to challenge and support the chief constable in the efficient and effective delivery of policing.

“To achieve this I need to appoint a deputy with the right skills and attitude," he said.

“Sara has a plethora of experience which will enable her to work alongside me over the coming months and years to deliver for the communities of Lincolnshire," he added.

Lincolnshire Police's chief constable Paul Gibson has endorsed the appointment, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

He said Ms Munton had undertaken "important work" for the force, including in her role as a member of the advisory group.

“I look forward to working with her once she is in post," he added.

Mr Clark's resignation was announced in March after Lincolnshire Police said it was investigating an incident said to have happened in a pub near Lincoln.

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