Four candidates will contest the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Election for the Cheshire area on Thursday, 5th May.
The job of the PCC is to oversee the police and ensure that they are prioritising what matters to you.
Police and crime commissioners are elected to ensure the policing needs of the community are met as effectively as possible and to oversee how crime is tackled in the area.
The four candidates standing for election on May 5th, alphabetically by surname, in the Cheshire police force area are:
- John Dwyer, The Conservative Party Candidate
- David Keane, Labour Party
- Neil Christopher Lewis, Liberal Democrats
- Jonathan Charles Starkey, UK Independence Party
Below are their election statements.
John Dwyer, The Conservative Party Candidate
Election statement:
When elected as Police and Crime Commissioner in 2012 I promised to do all I could to make Cheshire a safer place in which to live and work. Under my leadership, using my background in policing and public service – I am a former Assistant Chief Constable for Cheshire – I believe I have delivered on my promises.
We've seen overall crime fall to its lowest level since the 1990s with police recorded burglaries down by 19%
in the last year alone. We've committed to more police on the streets with 2,053 frontline officers by 2017. And we've undertaken a far-reaching review to get value for money whilst investing in technology to put boots on the ground, not stuck behind desks.
My pledge remains simple. I want to make Cheshire the safest county in the country for its decent, hardworking, law-abiding citizens but I also want it to be the most hostile county in the country for those intent on committing crime.
My Plan for Cheshire includes:
- More visible front-line police officers – 2,053 by March 2017
- Enhancing community policing – officers and PCSOs where you need them most
- Ensuring every penny of taxpayers' money is spent wisely
- Giving officers the tools and technology they need to solve crimes
- Developing support for victims through the Cheshire CARES service
I'm proud that Cheshire Constabulary has been judged, independently, as 'Outstanding'; one of the best performing in the country. I'm determined to build on this 'Top 3' status for Cheshire in the years ahead, continuing to use my skills to manage the £192.5m police budget and deliver the safest possible county for everyone.
Contact details - www.johndwyer.org.uk
David Keane, Labour Party
Election statement:
We all want our families to be safe, when at home, at school, at work and when out and about in our communities. If something bad happens we want a quick response, a reassuring presence and confidence that action will be taken. This requires a strong and committed police service.
We have 18,000 fewer Police Officers now than when the Conservatives came to government in 2010 and as I listen to local families there's a clear consensus that these cuts threaten our safety and security. I'm determined to send that message back to the government.
We all now know that Crime hasn't really fallen over this period, but it has changed. It's estimated that for every recorded crime there are an additional two unrecorded 'cyber-crimes'. Is there really a difference whether you have lost £500 to an on-street 'pick-pocket' or to a cyber-criminal online? Policing needs to evolve be equally effective in both cases.
Recorded crime has changed too, it's become more violent and anti-social. Reports of violence against the person, possession of weapons and public order offences increased by almost 20% in Cheshire alone last year.
So I say let's focus on cutting crime, not the Police. I pledge delivery of real neighbourhood policing. I pledge to back our officers and get them back on the streets - fighting crime and keeping us safe. I pledge to focus on the delivery of your priorities and a police service you will be proud of. I'm listening and reacting every day to the experiences of ordinary families throughout Cheshire. Please visit my website to find out more and tell me your views.
Contact details - www.davidkeane4cheshirepcc.co.uk
Neil Christopher Lewis, Liberal Democrats
Election statement:
Let's explode the myth that Cheshire crime has been falling. It has not!
Simply, abusers have gone behind closed doors, scammers and groomers have moved online and criminals have globalised.
The challenge is great, our children, our young people, our bank accounts, our pensions, our businesses, our parents and grandparents are all at risk.
I will:
- Launch a community led awareness campaign to 'lock our digital doors' and keep our kids safe – #CyberSafeCheshire
- Stand for cybersafe community led policing and work with teachers, schools, local government, social services, fire service, health and mental health services, 3rd sector charities and organisations from Barnardos and NSPCC to Age UK and faith and volunteer organisations too
- Create a dedicated cybercrime unit to tackle digital crime and support local business
More For Our Money!
The Tory government will cut £5m from Cheshire Police in the next four years. Despite this challenge, I will:
- Increase police 'feet on the beat'
- Stop the waste of police time resources (e.g. 'clocking on' at distant stations)
- Use technology and data to better police rural and urban road risks
- Prioritise crime prevention
Protect Those That Need Help
I will work to protect the vulnerable, to ensure that victims are effectively supported and witnesses are encouraged to come forward.
A Problem Solver and Local Resident
I am an entrepreneur who has spent a lifetime solving technical and people based challenges. I'm a resident of Cheshire, and will represent the interests of residents to the police, holding the police to account whilst praising good performance.
Yes, the future of crime is frightening, but... together, we can beat cybercrime and make our future safe. #CyberSafeCheshire!
Contact details - www.NeilLewis.org
Jonathan Charles Starkey, UK Independence Party
Election statement:
I am a resident in the Cheshire West constituency of Ellesmere Port and Neston where I live with my wife Jeanette and three children, Jennifer, Millicent and Frederick. I am a composer and virtuoso pianist and my music is distributed by Sony ATV, Amphonic and Universal and is utilised by the broadcast industries of 54 countries.
Whilst I have no professional connections with the legal or law enforcement agencies, I was a Councillor on the former Ellesmere Port and Neston Borough Council and Governor of three local schools for many years. In this respect, I have an advantage as I understand people's concerns but do not have any preconceptions, expectations or 'baggage' that would prevent or inhibit my thinking regarding the implementation of democratic impartial policing strategies.
I view the role of Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) as reflecting the priorities and concerns of the residents of Cheshire, both town and rural communities, negating the poor perception of safety and working against all the challenges and government cuts to make safety a reality. The police are also PCC constituents and their views are also important. Cutting bureaucracy, reducing target/quota driven policing, consistently monitoring efficiency savings and investing in new technologies would greatly improve morale amongst our hard working officers.
Voting for a UKIP candidate is a vote for someone whose ethos and belief is in democracy, accessibility and accountability. The older parties are burdened with decades of indefensible ideology and policy of which we are neither obligated to, nor inclined to support, we value commonsense.
I can deliver an impartial democratically minded PCC that Cheshire deserves with an abundance of ambition to make Cheshire the safest and best policed area in the country.
Vote for commonsense.
Vote for Jonathan Starkey on 5th May 2016.
Contact details - www.jonathanstarkey.co.uk
