NORTH Wales Police and Crime Commissioner Winston Roddick has announced he is standing down as the area’s police boss.

Mr Roddick announced on Monday, 7 March that he will not be seeking re-election in May.

His deputy, Julian Sandham, a former chief superintendent with North Wales Police, is expected to try for the top job.

According to Mr Roddick, the decision to stand down was a difficult one.

He said: “I have come to the decision to stand down gradually after considering it very carefully with my family and others over the past two or three months.

“It certainly isn’t because I haven’t enjoyed the role. It’s a very exciting role despite its very high demands.

“Following my election, our world changed, our two granddaughters were born. The youngest is only one and the eldest is not yet three.

"They live quite far away and we don’t see enough of them and I would like to see much more of them. That’s not the only reason but it’s the main one for not seeking re-election.”

Among the commissioner’s proudest achievements was setting up a pioneering centre to help victims of crime in north Wales and the creation of the rural crime team which has slashed crime in the countryside and is now being copied across the UK and as far afield as Australia.

Mr Roddick added: “Public confidence in the force is high and North Wales Police is doing a very good job in ensuring that people feel secure in their homes and safe in public places.

“These latest figures reflect well on the force’s dedicated team of officers and I am pleased that North Wales Police is in a good place. It is a good starting point for my successor.

“I’m not getting any younger and the burdens of this job are going to increase and therefore I think I’ve done my bit. It’s now the turn of somebody else.”