RESIDENTS of Stafford Borough are urged to keep their eyes peeled for polling cards that will allow them to vote for the county’s first ever Police and Crime Commissioner next month.
Elections for the new role, which will see a single person accountable for how crime is fought across Staffordshire, are set for Thursday, November 15, and over the next few days, around 98,000 polling cards will be dropping through letterboxes in the area.
Returning officer for the election in Staffordshire, Ian Thompson said: “These elections will form an important part of how Stafford Borough is policed in the future.
“It’s important that as many people as possible take part in the voting process, to give the winner a clear mandate on how the community wants the area policed,” he said. “It’s also an opportunity for people to elect a directly accountable and accessible official who will have a real influence on how crime is dealt with in their area.”
In Staffordshire, two candidates are vying for the role, Stoke on Trent City Councillor Joy Garner and Staffordshire County Councillor Matthew Ellis.
The incumbent commissioner will be responsible for everything from CCTV and street lighting to drug dealing and anti-social behaviour and aims to bring communities closer to the police, giving them a single point of contact and an opportunity to voice concerns directly to an elected official.
Residents will find the closest location to vote detailed on their polling card or can apply for a postal vote any time prior to 5pm on Wednesday, October 31.
For more information call the election team on 01785 619424 or email elections@staffordbc.gov.uk.
