AFTER seven years at the helm of Lancashire Police Authority, Councillor Malcolm Doherty is stepping down.

But he said he still has concerns about the Police Commissioner role which will ultimately replace him and the whole police authority in November.

Coun Doherty has helped drive forward some of the biggest improvements to policing in Lancashire’s history – from the roll-out of the country’s leading neighbourhood policing programme to the fight against the serious and organised crime.

He joined Lancashire Police Authority in 1998 and was appointed chairman seven years later.

In the past seven years overall crime dropped by 32.6 per cent.

He will officially retire on May 3.

Mr Doherty said: “It has been my privilege to chair this authority. Each year has brought fresh challenges and I’m particularly proud that Lancashire residents are considerably less likely to be a victim of crime than they were in 2005.

“The changes we’ve introduced have improved local people’s experience of policing in Lancashire.

“I was opposed to the idea of a Police Commissioner and I still think it’s a poor idea but the Police Authority have a responsibility to make it work.

“The one person will have to represent the whole of Lancashire, the diverse communities and the vast geography. One person can’t do that.

“I am a believer of democracy and if there’s going to be an election, anyone must be able to put themselves forward.

“However, anyone that doesn’t understand the current policing system might not be able to adapt to the role.”

The grandfather will also be stepping down as councillor for the Mill Hill ward of Blackburn and looks forward to spending more time with his family and his various interests.

Coun Doherty, who also led Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council for eight years and was Mayor of the Borough in 1990/91, was awarded an OBE in 2000 in recognition of his work and service to the community.

From November, the authority will introduction directly-elected police and crime commissioners.

The Chief Constable of Lancashire Constabulary, Steve Finnigan, said: “It has been a privilege and a pleasure to have worked over the past seven years with Malcolm.

“He is a man of the utmost integrity and his dedication and professionalism has led to the Police Authority being recognised as a top performing organisation.”