A chief constable’s regular hotel stays on his patch have been defended as falling well within nationally set regulations for the allowances that can be claimed.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) asked Cleveland Police for details of Mark Webster’s stays after a member of the public expressed concern over the chief constable being put up at “taxpayer expense” so he did not have to travel home.

Cleveland Police and Crime Commissioner Steve Turner, who appointed Mr Webster earlier this year and scrutinises his work, said where there was an operational demand to stay in Cleveland overnight he had agreed he could occasionally use “reasonably priced” hotels.

He also said he was “fully committed” to the role.

The LDRS understands Mr Webster lives outside of the area with the PCC confirming he turned down a relocation package available to chief constables to assist with moving costs.

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Between April and October the chief constable stopped ten times overnight in hotels at a total cost of £1,095.

The most expensive stay on October 5 amounted to £159 with the force describing his accommodation being due to “evening work”.

It declined to name the hotels that were being used.

Conservative Mr Turner said: “I have absolutely no doubt in my mind that Mark is fully committed to being Cleveland Police’s chief constable.

“As part of the terms of Mark’s appointment, it was noted that he would not require a relocation package – which may have reached a total of more than £20,000.

“I therefore agreed that where there is an operational demand for Mark to stay in Cleveland overnight, he may occasionally use reasonably priced hotels. 

“These allowances fall well within the nationally set regulations.

“Mark has my full support as he continues his work to understand and improve the way Cleveland Police serves the public.”

A spokeswoman for the PCC’s office added that where Mr Webster and his family chose to live was a personal choice and Mr Turner was “assured that the current arrangements are not having an impact on his ability to carry out the role”.

Councillor Chris Jones, a member of the Cleveland police and crime panel, which oversees the PCC, said there had been a “revolving door” of chief constables at the force over the past several years.

He said: “Not committing to a relocation, as Mr Webster has done, doesn’t instil confidence in his commitment in my opinion.

“The money for hotels doesn’t amount to a great deal over the period, but it will still be coming out of a budget.

“Cleveland desperately needs dedication and commitment from our chief constable to drive the force forward to a position where both residents and its officers can be proud of it.”

Mr Webster was the PCC’s pick to replace Richard Lewis, who left the role last December to take up a chief constable post at Dyfed-Powys Police.

He was previously deputy chief constable at Cumbria Police and a former director of operations at the National Crime Agency.

His police career began with Greater Manchester Police in 1992, where he rose to become a senior detective during a period which saw major conflict between the city’s crime gangs.

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Announcing his appointment, Mr Turner described Mr Webster as a “talented and dedicated police leader with a wealth of experience in operational policing”.

In an interview in October, Mr Webster said the Cleveland force was no longer deserving of being labelled the worst force in the country and officers had a “fire in their bellies” to put things right.

He also said he wanted his officers to be proactive, in terms of problem solving and crime-prevention, and visible.