IN response to repeated criticism from Homesteads ward councillor Gary Byrne, the Essex Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Roger Hirst is to visit the ward later this month and face questions directly from local residents concerned about crime in the local community.

Last month Mr Hirst hosted an online question and answers session about borough-wide issues but came under fire from Cllr Byrne, a repeated critic of the commissioner, for not facing up to the public in person and also making the spectrum for discussion too wide.

That meeting on Tuesday, 13 September, clashed with a meeting of the Corringham, Fobbing and Homesteads Community Forum and Cllr Byrne was again vocal in condemning the commissioner for arranging his online forum at the same time.

In response Mr Hirst has now agreed to attend a meeting at the Homesteads Village Hall later this month.

He will be at the Hall for a meeting of the forum on Thursday, 27 October, starting at 7pm, at the Hall on Dunstable Road.

Cllr Byrne says: "Come, listen and question the Essex police and fire chief. This is an event organised for residents by the forum and all are welcome."