Tributes Paid West Midlands Police And Crime Commissioner After His Sudden Death

1 July 2014, 11:59 | Updated: 1 July 2014, 12:16

West Midlands Police have confirmed the region's first Police and Crime Commissioner, Bob Jones, has died suddenly.

He served the region as since November 2012 even though he was critical of the role.

A Wolverhampton boy born and bred, he had never lived more than a mile from where he was born, except when studying for his degree BA (Hons) Public Administration in Nottingham.

He served as a Labour councillor from 1980 to 2013 for Blakenhall in Wolverhampton and was a Cabinet member for Leisure and Community Safety at Wolverhampton City Council.

As well as roles in politics he also served as a member of West Midlands Police Authority from 1986 to 2012.

He was awarded the CBE for "services to policing" in 2010 after chairing the Authority from 1995-2000. He also served as a member of the Association of Police Authorities where he was Deputy Chairman from 2004-2005 and Chairman from 2005-2009.

As news broke this morning, many people were playing their respects to the Bob Jones who was known for being dedicated to the community,

MP Jack Dromey tweeted 'Deeply saddened to hear the death of West Mids PCC, Bob Jones, a great champion of all that is best in British Policing & a very decent man'.

Ian Austin who is the MP for Dudley has said 'I'm stunned to hear that my friend Bob Jones passed away. A huge loss to policing & Wolverhampton. My thoughts are with his family & friends'

Birmingham Councillor Jess Phillips ‏@jessphillips tweeted 'I am so sad to hear that Bob Jones has died. We worked together closely and he was a man of great integrity'.

On the news of his passing, Shabana Mahmood MP said: "I am saddened to hear the tragic news of the premature death of Bob Jones a thoroughly honourable man who was dedicated to his work in community policing in the West Midlands and will be much missed. My thoughts are with his family at this very sad time".