Despite previously claiming that having an office at police HQ in Exeter was "not appropriate", the Devon and Cornwall Police Commisioner has decided to move, at a cost to the taxpayer of £500,000.

Saying the shift is due to "ongoing efficiency savings", Tony Hogg and his team will leave privately rented offices in Exeter, inherited from the former Police Authority, and move into vacant and unused space at Middlemoor Police HQ.

OPCC Chief Executive Andrew White: "The lease on the OPCC's base at Pynes Hill runs out in 2016, and Mr Hogg is taking that opportunity to further reduce OPCC running costs. They will now become lower than the Police Authority.

"There will be an initial cost to update and equip the vacant space at Middlemoor, but with annual rental savings of up to £100,000, the longer term financial benefits are significant. With policing budgets under increasing pressure, this move makes undeniable financial sense. Over the next 10 years it will save approximately £500,000 - money that Mr Hogg can make available to the Chief Constable to help protect front line policing.

"The police force is being asked to make big savings, and the Police and Crime Commissioner's office is determined to play a part in that too.

"It make no sense whatsoever to keep paying out substantial rent for a self contained commercial office when vacant space is available within Middlemoor. We would be failing the public if we continued this arrangement and took resources away from the police."

However when previously criticised about using accommodation allowances to stay at the Royal Marine Commando Training Centre in Lympstone, rather than Middlemoor Mr Hogg said: "My role is all about holding the chief constable and the police force to account on the public's behalf, and therefore it is not appropriate for my office, or my accommodation, to be sited there."

Questions have been asked about the timing of the move, as with a general election looming and a change of government possible, whether or not the post of crime commisioners will survive is up in the air