Anyone interested in learning more about the new Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner election in November is being invited to attend one of three special events being staged over the next few weeks.

“The aim of the events is to provide candidates, potential candidates and members of the public with information on the issues around the introduction of the new Police and Crime Commissioners” said David Cunningham, Cornwall Council ’s deputy electoral services manager.

“It will include representatives of Cornwall Council’s Electoral Service, the Police, the Police Authority, the Community Safety Partnerships and other private, public and voluntary bodies. “

The new Police Crime Commissioner will carry authority over policing across Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. The first Information Event is being held at Kingsley Village, near Fraddon in Cornwall on 24 September, with a second due to take place in the Isles of Scilly at The Wesleyan Chapel in early October.

Details of this date will be publicised as soon as it is confirmed. The third session is being held in the International Conference Centre in Torbay on 26 October. Both the Kingsley Village and Torbay events will run from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm. All three events are free of charge.

The events will be on a drop-in basis with trade-fair style stands where visitors can gain information about the election itself and the new voting system in use.

They will also have the opportunity to talk to the Police and Police Authority about the work they do and the issues and opportunities arising from the introduction of the new Commissioners and discuss the impact and prospects with a variety of public, private and voluntary sector bodies. Candidate information packs and nomination papers will be available from Monday, 17 September, with the closure of nominations due to take place at noon on Friday, 19 October.

A list of the candidates standing for election will then be published at noon on Tuesday, 23 October. The poll will be held on Thursday, 15 November, with the count taking place at Carn Brea Leisure Centre, in Pool, near Redruth, Cornwall on Friday, 16 November.