Cllr Lucy Hovvels, chair of the Police and Crime Panel and Cabinet member for adult and health services, said: “The Police and Crime Panel has today considered a request from the Police, Crime and Victims’ Commissioner (PCVC), Ron Hogg, to appoint an acting commissioner. Legislation requires an acting commissioner to be appointed from within the PCVC’s staff. The panel has therefore appointed Steve White as acting PCVC for County Durham and Darlington. On behalf of the panel and the council, I would like to send Ron our best wishes.”