Humberside Police Chief Constable job re-advertised

Humberside Police Chief Constable Justine Curran stepped down with immediate effect in February

A police force has re-advertised its top job after only one suitable candidate applied.

First applications to become Humberside Police's Chief Constable, at £160,000-a-year, closed on 2 April.

The Office of the Humberside Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) said the post had been re-advertised "to enable a competitive process".

The post has been vacant since Justine Curran stepped down from the role in February.

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Ms Curran stepped down 18 months ahead of retirement after the force was told by Her Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary in November 2016 that it "requires improvement".

In October 2015 it was the only force rated inadequate in a review of police efficiency across England and Wales.

The force had hoped a new chief constable would be in position by summer.

Rather than repeat the full advertisement strategy, the PCC said it had decided to re-release the recruitment pack.

Police and Crime Commissioner Keith Hunter said he hoped to attract an "exceptional individual"

In March, a video advert for the job urged candidates not to let "preconceived ideas" about the region "get in the way".

PCC Keith Hunter said he was looking for "an exceptional individual" and asked applicants to ignore the area's "recent past of declining fishing ports and related industries".