Jeff Cuthbert, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Gwent has announced the appointment of Eleri Thomas as his new deputy.
Mr Cuthbert’s office received 46 applications for the Deputy PCC role and, following two rounds of interviews, Ms Eleri Thomas has been announced as the successful candidate.
Ms Thomas, who was the former Chief Executive Officer and Deputy Children’s Commissioner for Wales, was officially appointed following a confirmation hearing at a meeting of the Gwent Police and Crime Panel at Monmouthshire County Council’s Headquarters in Usk on Tuesday, August 23.
Ms Thomas was recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2009 with an MBE for services to children and young people while Welsh head of the children’s charity Save the Children.
Speaking after the hearing, the new Deputy PCC for Gwent, said: “I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with Jeff Cuthbert and support him to deliver his vision and police and crime priorities for the people of Gwent.
“I am committed to ensuring that local residents have an effective and efficient police service which delivers appropriate support for victims and strives to prevent crime and anti-social behaviour.”
Gwent PCC Mr Cuthbert said: “Eleri is an individual with an impressive and varied range of skills and experiences and I am delighted to welcome someone of her calibre to this role.
“She will play an important part in supporting my work of engaging with as many communities as possible and in ensuring that residents have direct input into the type of policing they want to see locally.
“She will play a key role in supporting me to develop a proactive police and crime plan for Gwent as we work closely with our partners, the Force and the community to prevent crime and tackle anti-social behaviour. I look forward to working with her.”
The Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner role is salaried at £52,500 which has been calculated at 75% of the salary of the Police and Crime Commissioner.