FOUR candidates will go head-to-head next month as the race to become Dorset’s first Police and Crime Commissioner enters its final month.

Elections for the post will take place on Thursday November 15 and will see the new commissioner take over the current responsibilities of Dorset Police Authority.

Those standing for election are Nick King for the Conservatives, Dorchester Mayor and Lib Dem representative Andy Canning, Labour candidate Rachel Rogers and independent candidate Martyn Underhil.

The job of the police and crime commissioner will be to ensure the policing needs of their communities are met. They will give the public a voice and the ability to ensure their police are accountable.

The PCC will also cut crime and deliver an efficient police service by:

* Holding the chief constable to account for the delivery of the force

* Setting and updating a police and crime plan

* Setting the force budget and precept

* Regularly engaging with the public and communities

* Appointing and, where necessary dismissing, the chief constable

The Police and Crime Commissioners will replace police authorities in 41 areas and will be paid a salary between £65,000 and £100,000, depending on the size of the force area.

Fears have been raised that people will not turn out to vote for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections and the Home Office was warned last month that turnout in the elections could be the lowest in British history.

Clive Chamberlain, chairman of Dorset Police Federation, said: “Everyone predicts that will be the case because people don’t know enough about it or aren’t interested. “This is something that the Government want to introduce and I believe it’s up to them to sell it to the public.”