MORE than 100 people have considered becoming new members of the Thames Valley Police Authority.

Last month, the authority placed adverts in Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire newspapers asking for people interested in policing issues to apply for one of four independent members' positions that will become vacant during the year.

Thames Valley Police Authority chief executive, Jim Booth, said: "We have so far received 133 requests for application forms, which has been really pleasing.

"There has been a very strong response to the advert from the public in Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire and we are already sifting through those forms .

"Our members are expected to reflect the needs and concerns of people who live or work in Thames Valley, so it is important that we seek, and receive, applications from people from all of our communities."

Independent members of the authority should be interested in law and order issues and have good life experience. They are expected to act as a 'critical friend' to the force, ensuring policing is fair and efficient and carried out according to the needs of the people of Thames Valley.

The role is paid on a part-time basis and members are required to set aside the equivalent of seven to ten hours a week to focus on Authority business. They will be required to attend a full authority meeting every month and may also sit on one of the committees which, for example, monitor complaints against the force or deal with audit and risk.

The deadline for applications closes on Friday, April 25.

Anyone interested in becoming a member can still get an application pack by phoning Thames Valley Police Authority on 01865 846780 or by emailing Lin_Richards@thamesvalley.pnn.police.uk