The former Conservative head of Birmingham children’s social services department is bidding to become West Midlands police and crime commissioner.

Matt Bennett, who lost his Stockland Green council seat at last month’s local election, hopes to secure the Conservative Party candidacy for the November election.

For the first time this year the people of the West Midlands will be able to elect the commissioner who will have the power to set policing and crime priorities, allocate budgets and hire and fire the chief constable.

The controversial new roles have been set up by the Government across England and Wales police force areas in a bid to make policing more accountable.

Mr Bennett is the second Conservative to publically declare his interest in the role following Solihull councillor Joe Tildesley. Mr Bennett, who lives in Harborne, last year clashed with West Midlands chief constable Chris Simms during a council debate on policing challenging him over the low detection rates and was told that policing is as much about crime prevention as detection.

He said: “All we really want from the police is to know that they are there when we need them and that they will deal with crimes quickly and effectively, keeping us informed at all times. However, too many crimes go unreported because people don’t think it will achieve anything – that is not good enough.”

He said that as a local councillor he has experience dealing with neighbourhood police officers and as the head of children’s social care worked closely on child protection issues.

The Conservatives, who will not be favourites to win a West Midlands wide vote, are to select their candidates via open primary elections in which the general public, as well as the party faithful, will be able to vote.

Labour Party members are currently choosing between Nechells councillor Yvonne Mosquito and Wolverhampton councillor Bob Jones for their candidate, while a former council cabinet colleague of Mr Bennett’s, Ayoub Khan is hoping to secure the Lib Dem nomination.