Crime commissioners in fraud probe

Two recently elected Police and Crime Commissioners are being scrutinised by the police watchdog after allegedly lying about where they live, it has been reported.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission confirmed they were in the early stages of investigating North Wales PCC Winston Roddick and Hampshire PCC Simon Hayes following "referrals" about them.

The two are being investigated over electoral fraud, after allegedly both living outside of the respective police force areas on the day they were elected, the Mail on Sunday said.

Under electoral regulations, candidates must live within the force border on polling day.

The two won their £100,000-a-year role in the first ever PCC elections in November.

The PCCs replaced existing police authorities in 41 force areas across England and Wales.

Just 15.1% of registered voters took part in the elections - the lowest recorded level of participation at a peacetime non-local government election in Britain.