THE first ever police and crime commissioner for Humberside takes his post today – and he'll be joining officers on the beat in the East Marsh.
As reported, Conservative East Riding councillor Matthew Grove beat the favourite, former Labour deputy prime minister Lord Prescott, in the high-profile election on Friday after it went to second round voting.
The victory, which he described as a "David and Goliath story", won Mr Grove national recognition overnight, with him appearing in the pages of almost every national newspaper and on screen on the BBC's Sunday Politics show.
Mr Grove said: "The day of the count was a rollercoaster, not just for me, but for my family and my whole team, who have worked so hard.
"But that was just the warm-up for the main act, which is this hugely challenging job."
At midnight last night, Grove officially took his post – and its £75,000-a-year salary – as the Humberside police and crime commissioner, where he will remain for three-and-a-half years, until the next election.
And on his first morning on the job, he joined Chief Constable Tim Hollis – who Grove will have to replace when Hollis retires in March – for a walk around Grimsby's East Marsh today.
However, despite today being his first official day in the role, Grove has been getting to grips with the position and meeting people since getting up at 6am on Saturday – the day after the count.
"There is a massive amount of work to be done and there is no point waiting. As we speak, there are crimes being committed," added Mr Grove.
But how does he plan to tackle crime and make residents safer?
One of his flagship policies is to be tough on drunken troublemakers, charging drunk and disorderly people for use of police time, transportation and even the night in the cell.
Professional debt collectors will collect these fees and costs could be used to fund crime prevention activities.
"There is no wonder that people act irresponsibly when there are virtually no consequences to their actions," said Mr Grove.
He added: "We have to make this behaviour as socially unacceptable as drink driving."
Another issue that Mr Grove has publicly stood against is the privatisation of police services after neighbouring authority Lincolnshire Police controversially invited private company G4S to undertake some of their non-frontline duties.
However, as huge financial cuts from the coalition put pressure on resources next year, will the Conservative put Humberside first?
"I may have worn the party rosette for the campaign, but as soon as the result was announced, that comes off and it is about people first, party second," he said.
Mr Grove added: "It's a challenging job and if I get it right, in three-and-a-half years' time, I will be rewarded by the voters. If not, it will be like a plane crash.
"What I want is simple – I want there to be less crime, fewer victims, and to have achieved that with less money being spent. It is getting there that is the challenge."
What do you think of Grove's policies? Let us know by e-mailing viewpoint@grimsbytelegraph.co.uk
Look for Mr Grove's visit to Grimsby in your Grimsby Telegraph.
