The election for the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex will be taking place on Thursday, May 2.

The PFCC role is to be the voice of the people and to hold the police and the fire and rescue service to account. 

Responsibilities include:

 • Engaging with the public and victims of crime to help set police and crime plans;

 • Setting the fire and rescue objectives for their area through a fire and rescue plan; 

• Ensuring the police force and fire and rescue service budgets are spent where it matters most; and 

• Appointing the chief constable and chief fire officer, holding them to account for delivery of their objectives and if necessary, dismissing them

PFCCs are responsible for both the police force and the fire and rescue service within their area and are responsible for delivering efficient and effective services.

The Candidates for the Essex Police Force Area

The following statements have all been shortened to fit a news context. 

The full statements are available here.

Adam Daniel Fox - Labour

"My priorities for Essex are:

 • Increased visible neighbourhood policing 

• Tackling antisocial behaviour 

• Making our town and city centres safe to visit 

• Preventing rural crime 

• Working with partners to stop male violence against women and girls 

• A fire service that helps keep every home and workplace safe"

"I have listened to Essex residents who tell me they want to see more visible neighbourhood policing to tackle crime and antisocial behaviour and reassure the public.

"It is my number one priority to see more police and community support officers in every neighbourhood. I have previously worked managing services that tackle drug and alcohol addiction and criminal activity, supporting young people and victims of crime."

[email protected]

Kieron Anthony Franks - Liberal Democrats

Priorities include:

• Push for Essex Police to tackle the root causes of crime, such as insecure housing and poor support for the most vulnerable.
• Make Essex streets safer for women
• Increase the number of community-based officers, with the aim to boost rural crime teams
• Hold the government to account and advocate for proper funding
• Campaign to fund youth services and keep young people on the right path

"Too many people feel they aren't listened to when they report things to the police and that nothing gets investigated when they report thefts and vandalism. 

"I will push for Essex Police to tackle the crimes that affect people's lives and work with partners to tackle the root causes of crime.

"The Liberal Democrats have a track record of making Essex safer for women, such as the pioneering Women's Safety Charter by Lib Dem-led Chelmsford City Council. I want the opportunity to build on initiatives like this"

[email protected]

Roger Charles Hirst - Conservatives

"My Plan to Make Essex Safer: 

• More local, visible & accessible policing: Ensure the police are there when you need them. Deliver effective response and follow up all reasonable lines of enquiry. 

• Drive down anti-social behaviour & crime: More hotspot policing and monitoring of known offenders to prevent crime, and protect rural areas. 

• Beat knife crime and drug gangs & protect young people: Take drugs and weapons off our streets and help young people get out of gangs. 

• Protect women and girls from violence and domestic abuse: Invest in safer streets and bring more perpetrators to justice. 

• Ensure vulnerable people are protected: More safe and well visits, and community safety officers to identify risks and help people stay safe. 

• Improve road safety and reduce road death in Essex to Zero: Tackle speeding and drink and drug driving. Better tech, better education, and better enforcement. 

• Fire & Rescue Service Reform: Modernising the Fire & Rescue Service to reduce risk and keep more people safe."

"Over the last eight years as your PFCC I have funded the expansion of Essex Police by 905 officers, to 3,755, backed by the government's 'Police Uplift' Programme and with your support. Essex Police is now the biggest and strongest it has ever been."

https://www.hirst4essex.uk

Robin Charles William Tilbrook - English Democrats

"Priorities include:

• Vote to stop our police budget being used to fund gay pride events and other political correctness and instead focus on delivering: "More Police – catching criminals!" 
• Stop the growth of 'thought crime' – officers should not be spying on social media posts. 
• Prioritise catching real criminals like burglars and muggers and focus on protecting us. 
• Ensure budgets are spent on front line policing and addressing the fear and causes of crime
• Scrap 'diversity targets' and ensure that the best qualified candidates get awarded the job"

"White, English, male or Christian applicants should not face discrimination. Diversity targets are inherently discriminatory and the result of these targets often involves turning down the best candidate for the job so that a 'diversity box' is ticked.

"If you want to see our police re-focused on protecting our people from criminals; on traditional English policing; on maintaining Law and Order; and on supporting the rights of victims to defend themselves, then vote English Democrats on the 2nd May!"

https://www/englishdemocrats.party