Meet your Police & Crime Commissioner candidates for Devon & Cornwall

The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) elections are set to take place in England and Wales on May 2.

Charged with the task of ensuring that local police forces meet the needs of their respective communities, PCCs play a pivotal role in shaping law enforcement strategies across the country. 

With 39 police areas spanning England and Wales, each area elects a single commissioner to oversee and advocate for effective policing.

The core mission of PCCs revolves around cutting crime and delivering an efficient and responsive police service within their designated areas. 

Elected by the public, these commissioners are entrusted with the responsibility of holding Chief Constables and their police forces accountable on behalf of the communities they serve. 

This accountability encompasses a range of duties, including setting the police budget to ensure effective allocation of resources, appointing Chief Constables to lead local police forces, and actively engaging with the public and victims of crime to shape police and crime plans.

In addition to these responsibilities, PCCs work closely with local councils and community organisations to identify and address the specific needs and challenges of their areas. By fostering partnerships and collaboration, commissioners strive to implement projects and initiatives that enhance community safety and well-being.

The candidates for the Devon & Cornwall PCC position are:

Alison Hernandez - Conservative Party

Alison Hernandez, the current PCC for Devon & Cornwall, highlights her track record of delivering tangible results in policing. 

Under her leadership, she has said the region has seen a surge in police numbers and the implementation of initiatives like Operation Loki to combat anti-social behaviour. 

Ms Hernandez pledges to continue investing in law enforcement infrastructure, reopening police station enquiry offices, and fostering collaboration between police and community organisations.

Her vision includes:

1. Increasing Police Presence: Continuing the upward trend of police recruitment to ensure a visible and responsive presence in communities.
2. Infrastructure Investment: Reopening police station enquiry offices to improve accessibility to policing services.
3. Crime Rates: The crime rate areas are one of the lowest in the country but the police force still needs to be more efficient and effective. 

Alison said: "I still have the energy and strength to drive improvements so that we have less crimes, less victims and less offenders. Along with a police force we can all be confident in."

Steve Lodge - Liberal Democrats

Steve Lodge, representing the Liberal Democrats, advocates for a renewed focus on community policing and transparency in law enforcement. 

With a commitment to rebuilding trust between the police and the public, Mr Lodge emphasises prevention, effectiveness, and accountability as pillars of his platform. 

He promises to prioritise the visibility of officers in communities, support integrity within the police force, and address minor offences to bolster public confidence.

His priorities include:

1. Community Policing: Returning to genuine community policing, with officers integrated into communities and trusted to deliver.
2. Integrity and Trust: Supporting officers to work with integrity and preventing discrimination within the police force.
3. Focus on Minor Offences: Renewed attention to "broken windows" policing to tackle minor crimes and enhance public trust.

He said: "Together, we can steer a return to proper community policing and people feeling safe – but only by voting for Steve Lodge and the Liberal Democrats."

Daniel John Steel - Labour and Co-Operative Party

Daniel John Steel, the Labour and Co-Operative Party candidate, brings a wealth of experience in public service and a dedication to tackling pressing issues such as violence against women and girls. 

Mr Steel's platform centres on increasing police presence, preventing youth crime, and enhancing victim support services. He pledges to prioritise frontline policing, crack down on illegal activities like sewage dumping, and create specialised units to address violence and rape.

His initiatives include:

1. Increased Police Presence: Deploying more police officers and PCSOs to prevent crime and tackle anti-social behaviour.
2. Focus on Youth Crime: Implementing measures to prevent young people from getting drawn into crime, particularly knife crime.
3. Victim Support: Enhancing victim support services to address the specific challenges faced by victims in rural areas and towns.

He said: “ Too many urban and rural crimes go unchecked, damaging our families and businesses. Vote for me, Daniel Steel on 2nd May for stronger policing and safer streets!"