THE police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Cheshire will not replace his deputy when she steps down from the post at the end of the month.

Sareda Dirir will leave the job in the coming weeks after she was hired 12 months ago by PCC David Keane.

As part of a restructure of the police boss' office, the £50,000-a-year post will be axed.

Mr Keane hailed Ms Dirir as ‘an experienced and dedicated public servant’ who ‘has been an asset to the team over the last year’.

He added: “She has assisted real and positive changes for this office, including helping secure ‘white ribbon’ and ‘living wage’ employer status. 

“Critically, she has also helped drive forward the equality and diversity agenda, and has worked to put Cheshire at the centre of British Policing through hosting the 2017 National Black Police Association Conference. 

“I would like to thank Sareda for her dedication in serving the people of Cheshire over the last year, and wish her every success for the future.”

Following the announcement, Ms Dirir added: “I am extremely proud of what we’ve achieved as an office over the last 12 months. 

“Together as a team - working with our partners and Cheshire Constabulary - we have developed a number of innovative and collaborative initiatives that are helping make our communities across Cheshire safer.” 

The PCC had faced some criticism after hiring fellow Labour politician Ms Dirir whose parents represent the same ward as Mr Keane on Warrington Borough Council.

It was also uncovered via a Freedom of Information Act by Richard Taylor‏ @RTaylorUK that Ms Dirir only attended one meeting in December which was over the phone.

But it was noted in the response that during October to Feburary the deputy PCC also attended a number of 'ad hoc meetings regarding living wage accreditation and white ribbon accreditation as lead for the office of the police and crime commissioner'.

The news of Ms Dirir's departure was revealed as the PCC sets out his vision for his third year in office.

There will be more changes to staffing with the commissioner looking to appoint a new chief finance officer when the current post-holder retires at the end of March.  

Mr Keane outlined how the restructure will reduce the overall cost of the office, bringing it to its lowest ever level, and the savings will be invested directly into frontline policing.

“Reducing the cost of my office to just 0.4 per cent of the whole Cheshire policing budget will allow me reinvest savings into neighbourhood policing and ensure the right resources are in place to protect the people of Cheshire,” he said.

The commissioner also aims to put neighbourhood policing at the forefront of his priorities and will ask the public how PCSOs should spend their working week to ensure they are providing the correct support to protect communities.  

He said: “PCSOs are an important part of local policing teams across Cheshire and should have more visibility in our communities.

“They should be the eyes and ears of communities, gathering intelligence to deal with complex police issues, whilst providing support to vulnerable residents, and focusing on making our roads safer.”