A POLICE disciplinary hearing resulting from an Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) investigation into Surrey Police's previous contact with double murderer John Lowe could be held in public after new legislation came into force last Friday.

Home Secretary Theresa May announced the new regulations in March, requiring gross misconduct hearings against police officers to be held in public to increase transparency within the police service, and Surrey Police is making plans to implement the changes.

It means three Surrey firearms licensing officers currently being investigated by the IPCC for their handling of Tilford dog breeder Lowe's shotgun licence, if found guilty, will likely have their cases heard in public at a location yet to be specified.

For full story, see this week's Farnham Herald.