A look at this year's candidates for Police and Crime Commissioner for the Thames Valley

For the next four years, the Police and Crime Commissioner will hold the chief constable of Thames Valley Police to account for how their force performs.

Take a look at the four candidates that are standing for this year’s election:

Laetisia Carter – Labour Party

District councillor Laetisia Carter, from Oxfordshire, is the only female candidate to stand for this year’s PCC election. She currently works for the NHS, commissioning projects which improve mental health services, but has previously been a community liaison officer with Thames Valley Police.

Pledges:

• Support officers, communities and partner agencies. Focus on complex crime, such as domestic abuse, rape, child abuse and Child Sexual Exploitation, which is rising.
• Address the huge growth in cyber crime. Often unreported, with the frail and elderly the victims of choice for criminals.
• Proper funding for Thames Valley. Robustly challenge the cuts to the front line that threaten and undermine safety.
• To increase accountability and reduce bureaucracy. Develop digital reporting and maintain public access points.
• To listen to the public and ensure a stronger voice in guiding the priorities set.

On her ChooseMyPCC.org.uk profile, Laetisia says she is “passionate” about justice and equality and will use her “campaigning spirit” to get things done and put funding in key areas.

She said: “The cuts are putting community safety, cohesion and vulnerable people at risk. I would challenge the tidal wave of cuts by central government. A PCC from the opposition party would be stronger voice for change.”

John Howson – Liberal Democrats

John Howson has 22 years’ experience as a Magistrate in Oxfordshire, as well running his own business. He is also an expert on licensing law and the effects of the night time economy and has previously been a victim of crime himself, including a stabbing and several burglaries.

John says his key tasks if he is elected as Police and Crime Commissioner will be to reduce crime and the fear of crime, improve police accountability, visibility and work to raise public confidence and target resources on detecting crime and cutting offending rates.

Pledges:

• Emphasise improved detection rates – for years Thames Valley did not solve enough crimes;
• Ensure support for victims of crime is funded and not cut;
• Protect frontline policing including bobbies on the beat;
• Work with other agencies to ensure cases are progressed to court as quickly as possible;
• Consult the public, community groups and elected representatives including town and parish councils about local policing priorities;
• Listen to young people who cannot vote, but need a say about both crime and policing issues;
• Ensure value for money – but protect services to the public.

Anthony Stansfeld – Conservatives

Anthony Stansfeld is currently the Thames Valley’s first ever PCC, having been elected to the role in November 2012.

Anthony joined the army at 17 and spent his time commanding helicopter squadrons as well as being in the infantry worldwide. He has also had a career in industry and studied terrorism at University.

On his ChooseMyPCC.org.uk profile, he says he is proud of the successes the force has achieved, has worked hard to achieve the pledges he made in 2012 and is “delighted” to have been selected as a candidate again.

He said: “During this time Thames Valley Police have managed the reduction in funding whilst at the same time improving performance.

“I hope you are able to vote for me to continue to drive down crime across the Thames Valley.”

Priorities:

• To reduce crime and drive up detection rates.
• To maintain the balance between urban and rural policing.
• To ensure that the Police budget is targeted effectively.
• To protect vulnerable people.
• To ensure the Police act firmly and fairly, using good judgement to deal with the public politely, gaining their respect and acting with integrity.

Lea Trainer – Ukip

Slough resident Lea Trainer has a wife and three children and served six years in the Royal Navy. After completing service, he ran a successful business with his wife.

Lea says he is “acutely aware of the pressures being put on the police force by austerity cuts” and says it is “vital” that any PCC holds the Chief Constable and the Government to account.

Priorities:

• Stand up as the straight-talking voice of the people in Thames Valley.
• Reduce the fear of crime by bringing back the old ‘bobby on the beat’ to ensure continuity, increased visibility & faith in the Police force.
• Passionate about restoring trust between the community and the police force.
• Build a team that listens, supports and serve the community.
• Combining a well-structured education program and increased frontline officers will be essential to delivering a promise to reduce the fear of crime and crime itself.
• Tackling business crime and increasing the efforts on rural crime reduction.

Lea says the keys to a successful Local Police and Crime plan are “accountability, accessibility and transparency” and his “dedication and honesty” will have a positive impact on the community.

On his ChooseMyPCC.org.uk profile, he says: “I have served our country; I now wish to serve our community.”

Register to vote in the PCC election by April 18 at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.