ZOE Metcalfe has been selected as the Conservative candidate for the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner election next month.

The announcement comes ten days after the former commissioner, Philip Allott, resigned in a storm of controversy over comments he made about women in the wake of the Sarah Everard case.

Ms Metcalfe, a district and county councillor, was selected by Conservative members from North Yorkshire yesterday.

She set up and runs a children’s mental health charity and is a project manager for a property asset management company.

Ms Metcalfe has previously stood as a Parliamentary candidate and her campaign will focus on improving safety for women and girls across North Yorkshire, supporting victims of crime and tackling serious and organised crime.

She said: “I am delighted to be selected as the Conservative Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner candidate for North Yorkshire.

“I am passionate about making our communities and societies safe, especially for woman and girls, on the streets and at home, day and night.

“People living and working across North Yorkshire want to feel safe and have full confidence in their police and fire services."

“I can assure people I will stop at nothing to ensure both services are the best they can possibly be for the benefit of everyone across the county.”