THERE is a challenging period ahead for the Herts Police Authority, says chairman Ian Laidlaw-Dickson. The comment came at the police authority s annual meeting when Cllr Laidlaw-Dickson was re-elected chairman. He said that police restructuring meant

THERE is a "challenging" period ahead for the Herts Police Authority, says chairman Ian Laidlaw-Dickson.

The comment came at the police authority's annual meeting when Cllr Laidlaw-Dickson was re-elected chairman.

He said that police restructuring meant "the authority is going to have an even more challenging time ahead and it is important to rise to those challenges".

The police authority is working on its response to Home Office proposals to see Herts merged with Bedfordshire and Essex.

Independent member Brenda Griffiths has taken over the role of vice-chairman from Robin Lipscombe, who is recovering from an operation.

She said she was "delighted" to be given an "exciting opportunity" to take on the role.

Mrs Griffiths was appointed to the police authority in 2003 and she has a particular interest in Neighbourhood Watch schemes.