Members of the public last night had a chance to question the three people who hope to become Leicestershire's first elected police and crime commissioner.
The hustings, at the Holiday Inn, St Nicholas Circle, in the city centre, was organised by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) and Neighbourhood Watch, and chaired by Mercury editor Richard Bettsworth.
About 50 people were able to quiz the three Leicestershire candidates ahead of the election, which take place on Thursday, November 15.
The Conservatives are represented by recently-retired Air Chief Marshall Sir Clive Loader, a parish councillor in Wing, Rutland.
The Labour Party has selected Leicester's assistant mayor Sarah Russell, who represents the Westcotes area of the city.
Leicester community worker and businessman Suleman Nagdi is standing as an independent.
The police and crime commissioners (PCCs) will replace the existing police authorities which have traditionally set police budgets, appointed senior officers and scrutinised force performance.
The Leicestershire PCC will earn about £70,000 and will themselves be scrutinised by a panel of local councillors.
The Home Office believes commissioners will be more accountable to the public because they are elected, whereas police authority members include appointed councillors, magistrates and independents.
The CMI and Neighbourhood Watch are holding a session at Rutland County Museum, Catmose Street, Oakham, tonight, between 7pm and 9pm.
The Diocese of Leicester is staging an event at Emmanuel Church, Forest Road, Loughborough, at 7.30pm on Monday, and Leicestershire Chamber of Commerce will hold a hustings in De Montfort University's Hugh Aston building, the Newarke, at 7.15pm on Wednesday, October 31.
For a full report on last night's hustings, see tomorrow's Mercury.
