Front-line policing in spotlight for Warwickshire's latest PCC candidates

With just weeks to go before the vote for Warwickshire’s second Police and Crime Commissioner, two new candidates have declared they are in the running.

Nicola Davies has been declared as the Liberal Democrat candidate and said her campaign will focus on keeping the police force up to scratch.

Mrs Davies, who represent Leamington North on Warwickshire County Council, has been a member of 
the Warwickshire police 
and crime panel for the 
past three years.

Speaking about her campaign, she said: “My priories are retaining front-line police numbers and neighbourhood visibility, improving detection and conviction rates and creating a victim’s charter.

“I will offer a clear and independent minded approach, supporting the professionalism of all police staff whilst providing a strong challenge to the chief constable when performance isn’t up to scratch.

“Ron Ball, and his deputy Dr Eric Wood have established the post of Police and Crime Commissioner and have given it credibility.

“I will build on that firm foundation and focus on areas where improvement is needed.

“Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary has rated the Warwickshire force as ‘requiring improvement’- that simply isn’t good enough.

“The people of Warwickshire rightly want, and deserve, a force that is rated good and is on its way to becoming outstanding.”

Mrs Davies, who will canvas for support across the county, lives in Leamington with her husband and two children, and runs her own communications company.

Standing as Labour candidate in the May election is the long-standing councillor, Julie Jackson who has put a neighbourhood police presence at the centre of her campaign.

The Warwickshire County Council member for Bedworth said she is excited to be in the running to try and make a difference within the force.

And Ms Jackson, deputy leader of Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council, said she will be basing her campaign on listening and the importance of front-line policing.

She said: “What people are telling me over and over is that people want a high-visibility police force in Warwickshire – something that just isn’t the case at the moment.

“And that is my top priority for Warwickshire, having police officers at the front and centre of fighting crime offers real protection, prevention and makes people feel safer.”

The councillor, who has served on local government for many years, said she is determined the residents of Warwickshire can be engaged to get voting after a less than 20 per cent turnout for the first vote in 2012.

She said: “We really have to go out there and listen and take on board the priorities of the people of Warwickshire

“What matters most is the relationship with local people and our safer neighbourhood teams and PCSOs.

“That is something we need to build on, and what I hope to be able to focus on, building on the success of the current Police and Crime Commissioner.” The election will be held on May 5 and the current independent PCC, Ron Ball, is not standing for re-election.

The commissioner is designed to be the link between the police and communities, working to turn public crime reduction targets into action. The commissioner will also be responsible for the policing budget for Warwickshire and appoint and remove the chief constable from office when necessary.

The vote on May 5 will elect Warwickshire’s second Police and Crime Commissioner PCC) who will hold the police and chief constable to account on behalf of the public.

Already announced as candidates are Conservative Philip Seccombe and Independents, David Whitehouse and Ben Twomey.