Voters have chance to elect police boss
VOTERS will have their say in the Police and Crime Commissioner election on Thursday, May 5.
The four candidates hoping to run policing in Macclesfield and Cheshire include: John Dwyer (Conservative); Neil Lewis (Lib Dem): David Keane (Labour) and Jonathan Starkey (UKIP).
Polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm.
John Dwyer said: “I’m proud that crime is down to the lowest level since the early 1990s, crime detection is at its highest since 2010 and we’ve seen 100 officers simultaneously in various stages of training – which has never happened before in the history of the force.
“I’ve tried to use my experience of 30 years’ police service to tackle the challenges in Cheshire and put victims at the heart of the criminal justice system.”
David Keane said: “I’m determined to stand up and challenge the current PCC on his failure to protect our local communities. The police are under huge pressures after budget cuts from this Government. Current pri- orities need challenge, consultation and reform – this will only happen with a strong and committed Labour PCC.
Jonathan Starkey’s focus is: to record all crime and improve ease of reporting; to be visible, approachable and alert to the communities he serves; to invest in com- munity initiatives based on a zero tolerance approach; use cost-effective new technology; Ensure better representation of the community and improved communications; and guarantee transparency and scrutiny of performance against an agreed Local Police and Crime Plan.
He said: “Cutting bureaucracy, reducing target/ quota- dr i ven policing, consistently monitoring efficiency savings and investing in new technologies would greatly improve morale among our hard working officers.”
Neil Lewis’s priorities are: CyberSafe Cheshire initiative; better community and response policing through better technology, shared and outsourced services; and the protection of vulnerable groups such as victims, children, women and the elderly.
He said: “Crime has changed – but we have not. The threat of violent crime, cybercrime, burglary and even terrorism against the people of Cheshire is a global issue that requires a joined up local, national and international response backed up by modern technology and liberal minded oversight and accountability.”