‘Criminals aren’t going to like me’
OFFICERS ON BEAT ACROSS THE COUNTY
NOTTINGHAMSHIRE’S new police and crime commissioner has vowed “criminals will not like me” as she pledged for a greater force presence in the county’s towns and villages.
Conservative Caroline Henry ousted Labour’s Paddy Tipping from the role in last week’s election and has promised to repay the faith in those who voted for her.
Mrs Henry described herself as ‘a career businesswoman’ during the election and is married to Broxtowe Tory MP Darren Henry.
She decided to run as a candidate after three of her closest friends were burgled.
Mrs Henry, who grew up in Eastwood and lives in the Giltbrook area, described herself as “Nottinghamshire through and through” and that she wants to make a difference to the county she loves.
Speaking about her victory, she told the Post: “It meant so much. I was born here, grew up here, lived here most of my life and the opportunity to represent my Nottinghamshire and use all my skills and experience to help is an honour.
“The fact so many people voted for me, I feel a huge responsibility not to let them down.
“Whether they voted for me or not I’m going to work my socks off to deliver on people’s trust.
“The police and crime commissioner role is a unique one. You get the opportunity to represent the people with the police and make sure their priorities are being delivered.”
Police and Crime Commissioners are set up to deliver an effective and efficient police service and to hold the chief constable and the force to account.
They are answerable to the communities they serve and must work with the force to come up with initiatives to cut crime and are also responsible for how the money is spent.
Mrs Henry said: “Criminals aren’t going to like me. I want more officers on the beat and police having the right tools.
“I’ve been all across Nottinghamshire. I think some of our towns and villages want levelling up with what the city has been getting.
“I’m not saying I am going to be taking stuff out of the city, I want more in the county as well and that’s really important.
“I’ve got some really tight, specific plans and I’m not going to just be about words and promises but delivering things quickly.”
Mrs Henry said whilst she will be controlling the police force’s budget, she will be working very closely with Chief Constable Craig Guildford on operations and holding him to account for the public.
Speaking about her predecessor, Labour’s Paddy Tipping, who held the role for nine years, she said: “I know we have our political differences but he has done an awful lot of public service and it’s important to recognise that.”
Following the election, the leader of Nottingham City Council, David Mellen, wrote to Caroline Henry inviting her to a meeting.
In his letter, councillor Mellen said: “I am writing to congratulate you and would like to invite you to a meeting with myself as Leader of Nottingham City Council to discuss working together to make our city safer.
“Lots of positive progress has been made on many important issues in the city by your predecessor, Paddy Tipping, and I am keen that work is not lost.”
Responding to this, Mrs Henry said she was looking forward to meeting with the leader regularly and discussing plans. “We all want to make Nottingham and Nottinghamshire safer, so yes of course I’ll be speaking with him and meeting regularly with both the city and county council,” she added. “It’s vital we all work together.” Mrs Henry officially takes up her new role on Thursday.
The results of the PCC election on May 8 were: Caroline Henry (Con) 138,658.; Paddy Tipping (Lab) 131,302.
I’m not going to just be about words and promises, but delivering things quickly.
Caroline Henry