Shoppers in Wisbech had a chance to chat to two top names in Cambridgeshire Police in a special street surgery which they sprang on the town.

Cambs Times: Alec Wood is in line to become Cambridgeshire Constabulary's new chief constable. New report shows he was the only applicant.Alec Wood is in line to become Cambridgeshire Constabulary's new chief constable. New report shows he was the only applicant. (Image: Cambridgeshire Police / Phil Mynott)

It was the first joint public engagement for Police and Crime Commissioner Sir Graham Bright and Temporary Chief Constable Alec Wood since Sir Graham identified Alec as his proposed candidate for Chief Constable last Thursday.

“We were all given a warm welcome,” said Sir Graham. “These surgeries are such a good opportunity for me to meet the people who live and work in the area and listen to their views on a one-to-one basis.

“I was really encouraged by the praise many people had for their local officers who they feel are doing a good job.”

He added: “We had a real presence in the Market Place and it was great to have the Temporary Chief Constable, Alec Wood with me.”

This followed a three-week recruitment campaign and robust assessment and interview process which was led by Sir Graham and supported by the College of Policing.

Sir Graham is now looking forward to the meeting of the county’s Police and Crime Panel. It is their role to hold a ‘confirmation hearing’ and review Alec’s proposed appointment.

New Outreach Worker for Peterborough and Fenland Emily Gutteridge joined the surgery and heard how parking, street drinking and being able to get hold of the police when they need them were important issues to local people.

The event was one of a series being held in different towns and cities across the region as part of the Commissioner’s engagement work.