A SENIOR civil servant has been appointed as the new chief of staff for the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Alan Reiss, 34, was given the role after the Durham Police and Crime Panel agreed in late April to support his appointment following interviews earlier in the month.

Mr Reiss is currently working as the deputy director of strategy at the Department for Education in Westminster and will officially take up his new role in the summer.

Durham PCC Ron Hogg said: "I am confident that he will make an excellent chief of staff and will fit in well in terms of helping make Durham and Darlington a safer place to live and work.”

Mr Reiss succeeds Lesley Davies who has retired.