AFTER three days of silence, Gwent Police finally confirmed the chief constable will retire with her number two temporarily taking over.

Deputy Chief Constable Jeff Farrar will act as temporary chief constable with immediate effect following the retirement of Carmel Napier.

Mrs Napier said she was proud to serve Gwent, but the chairman of the Gwent Police Federation said he now looked forward to chasing criminals rather than performance targets.

Today's confirmation comes amid growing calls for answers over her retirement from the police and crime commissioner Ian Johnston from Gwent's Labour MPs.

Mrs Napier, who has spent 30 years in the police, said: "I have been immensely proud to serve the people of Gwent and believe, thanks to the efforts of my officers, staff and our partners, that the region is a much safer place to live, work and visit."

The chief constable said that over the last two years the force had reduced crime by more than 25 per cent, and that reports of antisocial behaviour had also fallen, with 27,000 fewer victims.

Jeff Mapps, chairman of the Gwent Police Federation, said she will be remembered for the compassion shown to serving officers and their families, some of whom have been critically or terminally ill.

But she will also be remembered, he said, for reductions in the recording of crime in Gwent.

"I look forward to working with our remaining chief officers so that Gwent police officers can again start to chase criminals, rather than performance targets," he said.

Mrs Napier joined Gwent police in September 2008 as deputy chief constable and became chief constable in April 2011.

Ian Johnston, police and crime commissioner, wished Mrs Napier and her husband "all the best for the future" and said she had worked tirelessly to deliver an effective and efficent service.

The PCC added: “The current deputy chief constable of Gwent, Jeff Farrar, will take over as temporary chief constable with immediate effect.

"I am confident that he will provide strong leadership to the force whilst a permanent replacement is sought."

Labour MPs' call for answers

GWENT's Labour MPs have demanded answers from police and crime commissioner Ian Johnston over the planned retirement of Gwent's top cop.

Carmel Napier's retirement has come amid claims of a breakdown in the relationship between herself and the police and crime commissioner, Ian Johnston.

It followed a public spat over crime figures played out in the pages of the Argus.

Now Paul Flynn, Jessica Morden, Paul Murphy, Nick Smith and Chris Evans have written to the PCC to find out why Mr Johnston confirmed Ms Napier was to retire while both he and the chief constable were on leave.

The letter asks whether there are plans to discuss the events with the Gwent police and crime panel, what terms the chief constable is retiring and whether this may be enhanced due to any manner in which the announcement has been made.

Meanwhile David Davies, MP for Monmouth, said that the Commons' Welsh Affairs Select Committee which he chairs is likely to look into the issue of police and crime commissioners potentially before the summer recess.

"That might enable us to throw light on this particular situation," he said.

He told the Argus that while he had heard rumours of a poor relationship between Mr Johnston and Ms Napier, he didn't know whether they were true.