"SINCE the summer I've been to nearly every corner of the county and what I've heard has been the same - Staffordshire people want their police based in the community and accountable to them.
As a local councillor and Staffordshire Police Authority member I know the importance of community safety.
Neighbourhood policing and police community support officers have been an outstanding success.
It's appalling that the Tory-led Government are putting this at risk as they cut the number of police officers by 20 per cent. We've already lost 213 officers in Staffordshire, and by 2015 a total of 395 will have gone, placing the force in danger of being left with the lowest number of police officers since it was established.
No combination of efficiency savings or changes to working practices can replace the number of bobbies taken off our streets.
The way in which security for the London Olympics was put in jeopardy by the failed contract with security firm G4S proved that privatisation carries risks.
I will ensure that policing in Staffordshire remains publicly run and not hand services to private firms whose only motive is profit.
If I become Staffordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner my priorities will include:
- Fighting the 20 per cent cut to Staffordshire's Police budget;
- Putting victims of crime before criminals and ensuring that victims get the support they need;
- Taking seriously the blight of domestic violence;
- Working to steer young people away from crime and anti-social behaviour;
- Tackling alcohol misuse and its effect on communities;
- Taking a hard line against antisocial behaviour by establishing an anti-social behaviour task force to ensure that victims get a response within 24 hours;
- Making sure that Staffordshire residents get value for money in their police service."
