Image caption The move to elect PCCs has been described as the biggest shake-up of policing for almost 50 years

Voters are heading to the polls to elect the first police and crime commissioners for England and Wales.

The elections are taking place in 41 police force areas - except in London - from 07:00 GMT until 22:00 on Thursday.

The new PCCs, which are set to replace police authorities, will set spending plans and have the power to "hire and fire" chief constables.

The results are expected to be announced on Friday, with elected PCCs assuming office from 22 November.

The government set up the commissioner role in what it describes as an effort to make police more accountable, with a single "figurehead" monitoring and ensuring performance.

How did the idea come about? More public say on policing was championed by some Conservatives as way to boost local democracy

It became Conservative Party policy at 2010 election

Coalition agreement then contained pledge to make police "more accountable through oversight by a directly-elected individual"

Proposal fleshed out in white paper "Policing in the 21st Century" and enacted in Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act, which became law in 2011 Q&A: Police and crime commissioners

As well as recruiting - or sacking - chief constables, commissioners will set out local policing priorities, report annually on progress and set out their force's budget and community safety grants.

Ministers say that the cost of commissioners and police and crime panels will be no greater than the cost of running existing police authorities. Commissioners are likely to be paid between £65,000 and £100,000 per year depending on the police force area.

Opponents say the move is a waste of money at a time when budgets are being cut and staff laid off.

The move to elect PCCs has been described as the biggest shake-up of policing for almost 50 years.

Labour and the Conservatives are fielding candidates in all 41 force areas.

Image caption Voters are going to the polls across England and Wales

The Liberal Democrats are not centrally supporting candidates but have not barred their members from standing. Lib Dems and members of the UK Independence Party are standing in just over half of seats.

Elections are taking place in all parts of England and Wales except London, where Mayor Boris Johnson and the home secretary both have oversight of the Metropolitan Police.

Voters are also going to the polls in three parliamentary by-elections, following the resignations of one Conservative and two Labour MPs.

The seats which are being contested are Cardiff South and Penarth, Corby and Manchester Central.

Meanwhile, voters in Bristol are choosing a directly-elected mayor for the first time.

The ballots in Manchester and Cardiff will be counted from the close of polls. The Corby by-election ballot will be counted on Friday.