Meet the three main party candidates chosen in the race to be Hertfordshire's next police boss

Voters will head to the polls to elect Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) for Hertfordshire on 6 May
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Candidates from all three main political parties have been confirmed in the race to be Hertfordshire's next police boss.

A poll for the election of the Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) will take place on Thursday, May 6, after a year-long delay due to Covid-19.

The PCC's main role is to ensure that the police force in our area is effective and efficient. They are responsible for a budget, raised from the local policing precept via Council Tax.

Philip Ross (Labour), Sam North (Liberal Democrats) and David Lloyd (Conservatives)Philip Ross (Labour), Sam North (Liberal Democrats) and David Lloyd (Conservatives)
Philip Ross (Labour), Sam North (Liberal Democrats) and David Lloyd (Conservatives)

The Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats have confirmed their candidates in the race.

These are the candidates who have said they intend to stand for PCC this year (listed alphabetically):

David Lloyd, Conservatives

The Conservative Party has announced that David Lloyd, the current Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, will stand again for the role.

Mr Lloyd became Hertfordshire’s first police and crime commissioner when he was elected in 2012 and won re-election for a second term in 2016.

He said: "I have been in the role for the last eight years, and I bring experience to the position.

"In that time you get to know what is important in the area, what matters to people and what their priorities are, and they become your priorities.

"My first priority is to keep crime low. We have a well managed force and have great people in Herts and crime is not sky high like it is in other areas.

"We have got low crime and I want to keep it one of the safest places in the UK.

"I want to protect local policing. I have ensured a strong local policing model in Hertfordshire has been preserved with a police team and Chief Inspector in each borough.

"My next priority is to increase more officers. I did that last year and this year, and by next year there will be more police officers than there ever has been in Hertfordshire.

"I want to maximise the efficiency between ourselves and neighbouring forces to help keep crime low.

"I want to keep tax low and continue to only charge tax payers what is required to meet operational demands while focusing on efficiency and effectiveness.

"The support given to victims in Hertfordshire is great, the victim care centre Beacon is one of the best in the country and I want that to continue.

"We have a good police force and programme here in Hertfordshire."

Sam North, Liberal Democrats

The Liberal Democrats Party has announced that Sam North will be its candidate for the upcoming Police and Crime Commissioner elections in Hertfordshire.

Sam is a former police officer who is passionate about policing and crime prevention and has a deep understanding of the current limitations of the police service and the difficulties that they face.

He has set out a six-point plan for policing in Hertfordshire:

> Supporting officers

> Reducing crime

> Mental health provision

> Equality and opportunity

> 21st Century Policing

> Tackling Serious, Organised and Gang-Related Crime.

Sam said: "Policing is a fundamental building block of our society and must be recognized as being so. However, the police are underfunded, ill-equipped and morale is at an all-time low.

"My plan sets out the foundations for how policing should be done in Hertfordshire. Is it right that fewer than five per cent of reported rapes are taken to court? That it takes on average 2.5 years for a victim of domestic abuse to contact the police? Or that we continue to see extraordinarily little action by the incumbent PCC on tackling issues of Equality and Diversity?

"I don't think any of this is right. I believe we are a society that cares. I believe policing can be done so much better."

A survey conducted by the Police Federation in December 2020 revealed that personal morale was lowest within Hertfordshire police officers

Sam added: "Is this really what our officers deserve? The same officers that put their lives on the line for us every day of the week. We need to provide our officers with the training that they need, the opportunities that they desire and the credit that they deserve.

"Hertfordshire Police deserve a better Police and Crime Commissioner, to embrace innovation and forward thinking, pull Hertfordshire Police into the 21st Century and ensure the safety and security of all Hertfordshire residents.

"Improving the police in the UK is no longer just about Multi-Agency Working, Community Policing and increasing officer numbers.

"While these are important, we must look at the more fundamental aspects of what officers and staff are doing, how the organisation is structured, how evidence-based policing is prioritized and, perhaps most importantly, how we ensure the force is centred around victims.

"We have a fantastic opportunity this year to make a real positive impact on policing in Hertfordshire, to tackle inequality, improve the working environment for our officers and build a force ready for the future challenges they face."

Philip Ross, Labour

The Labour Party has announced that Philip Ross will be its candidate to be the next Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire.

Philip, who is married with three children, is a self-employed business consultant specialising in cyber security.

He is an active campaigner for small business and the self-employed and is also a published author on garden cities and an internationally acclaimed expert on sustainable communities and community land.

He said: "I’m delighted to be Labour’s candidate in this election.

"I’m looking forward to getting out and about across Hertfordshire when we can do so safely, to listen to people and their concerns and show why I’m the best choice to be the next Police and Crime Commissioner.

“If I’m elected I will be relentless in the fight against crime and its causes.

"I will work collaboratively to empower communities across Hertfordshire about how best we can work together to tackle crime and its causes.

“My priorities are keeping us all safe, cracking down on crime and catching criminals to protect individuals, families and businesses.

“My objectives include keeping our people safe from crime, drugs and gangs. I won’t allow gangs to ruin the lives of young people and damage our communities.

“I will ensure there is real and practical support for the victims of crime.

“I will work proactively with front-line staff, and the Police Federation to ensure they feel supported and valued.

“I will tirelessly press central government for the level of resources Hertfordshire Police need."

> This list will be updated if and when more candidates declare they are to stand.