Two more candidates vy for top cop job (From Runcorn and Widnes World)

Two more candidates in race to become Cheshire's first police and crime commissioner

1:10pm Thursday 18th October 2012 in News By Barbara Jordan

TWO more candidates are vying to become Cheshire’s first police and crime commissioner (PCC).

Former vice chairman of Cheshire Police Authority, Ainsley Arnold, is standing as the Liberal Democrat candidate in the election on Thursday, November 15.

Louise Bours, aged 43, from Congleton, has been chosen to represent UKIP Ainsley and his family have lived in Cheshire for more than 36 years.

He said: “Frontline policing must be maintained and further improved to maintain public confidence.

“I am committed to ensuring that Cheshire Police continues to reduce not only crime statistics but the public’s fear of crime.

“The role of the police is both demanding and sometimes dangerous.

“I will fight to ensure that Cheshire Police has the funding and resources required to keep Cheshire a safe place for its residents.”

The PCC will take over the role of the 17 members of Cheshire Police Authority and earn a salary of £75,000.

The person elected will decide police strategy, set the budget, the police council tax precept, and hold the Chief Constable to account.

Mum-of-two Louise, former Congleton councillor, who currently reading social science at university, said: “I believe that I have the ability to take on this demanding role and ensure that Cheshire residents get the best possible police service.

“I believe that common sense and listening to both the police and residents is what is needed.

“I would take a no-nonsense approach and make sure that priorities are quickly established and adhered to.

“One of the challenges will be to ensure you have empathy and understandong with the public’s fear of crime, while ensuring a robust and comprehensive approach to ‘low level’ crime with a zero tolerance ‘broken windows’ approach across the entire county.”

Other candidates include Halton Clr John Stockton (Lab), John Dwyer (Con) and Sarah Flannery (Ind).