A SCHOOLBOY found himself in the hotseat after being chosen to shadow the county’s police and crime commissioner for the day.

Jack Duffield, 15, from Canvey, watched Nick Alston at work as he batted off difficult questions while being interviewed by journalists.

He also joined him at a police and crime panel meeting, where he listened to debates on the budget for the force and crime levels.

Jack, a pupil at King John School, in Shipwrights Drive, Thundersley, was picked to take part in the Take Over Day, a national initiative organised by the Children’s Commissioner for England, along with five other youngsters from across Essex.

They all took on various roles shadowing senior officers within Essex Police.

Speaking after his busy day, Jack said: “It has been a really insightful day. I didn’t know much about the police and crime commissioner’s job before I came, but I am amazed how much work he does. I’m so impressed by the scale of what he and his staff deal with on a daily basis.”

Mr Alston added: “It was a pleasure to have Jack with me for the day. He was enthusiastic and interested and a credit to his parents and school.

“In order to ensure both Essex Police and I get things right for young people, we need to get involved with them, talk to them and listen to their ideas.

“Take Over Day was an excellent opportunity to do that and Jack certainly had some valuable insights to share.”

While spending the day at Mr Alston’s office in Hoffmans Way, Chelmsford, Jack also got an insight into the work of Mr Alston’s deputy, Lindsay Whitehouse, chief executive Susanna Hancock, and the media, finance and administrative support teams.