VOTERS are urged to go to the polls on Thursday and pick the person who will take charge of the police for the next four years.

It is hoped there will not be a repeat of the first Police and Crime Commissioner elections in 2012 when voter turn-out was around 15 per cent.

The job was created by the Conservative government to represent the public to its police force, set the force budget and precept, and hold police to account.

Graham Cox, a retired chief superintendent in Brighton, said: "The legitimacy of the commissioner is undermined if the vote is dreadfully low.

"So I think that is the main reason to go and vote, even if you don't vote for the one I think you should.

"And it's sort of a hoary old argument but a lot of people have fought and died for the right to vote. "

He added: "If you look at what's happening in South Yorkshire [where the PCC has suspended the force's chief constable over the handling of the Hillsborough disaster], it shows how important the PCC role is in terms of public confidence, and how as well as sort of giving general direction there is a requirement for leadership in difficult times."

Godfrey Daniel, a former Labour candidate and member of the former Sussex Police Authority, said: "The turnout last time was derisory and I don't blame the public for that; it was held on a dark November day for one. But I would hope to see a much better turn out this time.

"The PCC controls the budget for the police which determines what the police can actually do in every way."

There are five candidates standing for the position in Sussex, including the incumbent Tory candidate, Katy Bourne and a former member of the former Sussex Police Authority, Dr James Walsh, for the Liberal Democrats.

Brighton resident Patrick Lowe is running for UKIP, James Doyle is running for the Green Party while Michael Jones is running for Labour.

The Government is considering expanding the role of the PCC in the wider criminal justice system and wants PCCS where appropriate to also take responsibility for fire and rescue services.

Returning officer for the election in Sussex Charles Lant said: “Whoever is elected is in charge of the Police Force’s budget and will set the objectives for the fight against crime.

“You only get the chance once every four years to decide who is in charge – don’t waste this opportunity.”

THE CANDIDATES

Katy Bourne, Conservative party candidate

The Argus:

As PCC, I have the experience and proven track record to continue making a difference to policing.

By successfully holding the police to account, HM Inspectorate of Constabulary now rate Sussex in the top five performing forces in UK.

Some achievements so far:

  • Opened recruitment and issued cameras and smartphones to all frontline officers
  • Established award-winning Youth Commission, nationally recognised for outstanding youth engagement
  • Encouraged creation of dedicated business and cybercrime strategy for Sussex
  • Funded support for victims of crime, abuse and child exploitation
  • Established UK’s first Elders Commission - giving older people a voice on policing

If re-elected I will continue to:

  • Deliver effective neighbourhood policing to our rural communities, towns and city
  • Cut crime, catch criminals and reduce reoffending
  • Support victims and protect our elderly and young against all forms of abuse
  • Improve access to justice for local people using technology effectively
  • Invest in frontline policing and further improve the performance of Sussex Police

Michael Jones, Labour party candidate

The Argus:

I’M A Labour member of the Sussex Police and Crime Panel, standing up for residents on all matters related to policing.

I’m a qualified solicitor, and known locally as a hard working, independently minded councillor. I’ve lived in Sussex for most of my life.

The Tory Government and Sussex PCC have slashed the police’s budget. 

The Sussex PCC’s record is one of the worst in the country: police officers reduced by one-fifth, and PCSOs to be nearly halved in number.

The effect? Crime in Sussex has increased by eight per cent, but arrests have still fallen by over a quarter.

My priorities:

  • Reverse the proposed cuts to front-line policing in every town, every village;
  • Strengthen the fight against internet and telephone scammers;
  • Ensure the homeless are not criminalised because of unfair treatment, and
  • Work with disability, BAME and LGBT groups to reduce hate crime and to do more to help victims to report it.

Dr James Walsh, Liberal Democrat candidate

The Argus:

MY TOP priorities are to safeguard frontline community police and PCSO’s, cut re-offending and focus on crime prevention.

The current commissioner has slashed £65 million in the last five years, and is cutting a further 700 frontline police officers and 300 other staff, or one fifth of the Police in Sussex.

Police need to spend less time on bureaucracy and computers and more time on the streets, identifying teenagers before they embark on crime, often to support drug addiction.

Reducing re-offending means more restorative justice, so criminals pay back victims and the local community, cutting crime, save police time and money. I will fight endlessly for a better share of Government funding.

A retired Sussex GP with 40 years experience as a district and county councillor, and former chairman of the Sussex Police Authority, I’ll use that experience to be tough on crime and on the causes of crime through an effective, community based police force.

Patrick Lowe, UKIP candidate

The Argus:

You’ve told me that there are fewer police around and many good PCSOs have walked away because of increased responsibilities and work commitments – many crimes are up due to a lack of visible policing. 

Spending most of my life living in Sussex, leading a local business I’ve successfully grown over 18 years, and being involved in the community I’ve engaged and listened to your local issues. 

If elected on May 5 you will have: a preventative policing strategy that brings local bobbies back on the beat with face-to-face policing – not a call centre strategy; an experienced team along with serving representative police officers addressing low morale giving the police finally a voice; a strategy that tackles crime more effectively; innovative and achievable funding solutions; fresh ideas; experience; and a safe pair of hands. 

My website is at patricklowe4pcc.co.uk for further information including my promises and manifesto.

James Doyle, Green Party candidate 

The Argus:

I want to be a PCC who makes a difference. I live in Worthing and, as a Green councillor, I’m proud to stand up for what’s right. 

My wife served for 30 years as a Sussex Police officer, so I understand what a vital service the police provide. 

The current Tory PCC has presided over devastating cuts to police budgets. 

My first priority is to fight the cuts to and the privatisation of these vital services.

I will also: 

  • Strongly oppose the cruel criminalisation of homeless people and heavy-handed policing of people protests. We should have a police service, not a police force.
  • Emphasise crime prevention and restorative justice.
  • Prioritise and tackle domestic violence, racism, and LGBT & disability abuse.

I’m committed to affecting real change in our community, because together we really can make things better. That’s why I ask for your vote on May 5.

MAKE INFORMED DECISION IN BOOTH

FIND out about the candidates’ aims and proposals by visiting the Choose My PCC website www.choosemypcc.org.uk.

You can also download a candidate information booklet from the Choose My PCC website, or order the booklet by post by telephoning 0800 1 070708.

Those electors who have applied for a postal vote will be receiving their ballot papers. 

In the Police and Crime Commissioner Election, you are allowed two votes, one for your first choice candidate, one for your second choice. 

On the ballot paper you can vote for your first and second choice candidates: mark a cross in the first column for your first choice, mark a cross in the second column for your second choice. 

If you do not have a second choice, your first vote will still be counted.

If none of the first choice candidates get more than 50 per cent of the vote, the leading two candidates receive the second choice votes from the other candidates to decide a winner. 

This is called the Supplementary Vote System. 

The Electoral Commission has produced a 30-second video to help with the ballot paper.

If you have a postal vote, don’t forget to complete the ballot papers and post them back in good time before May 5.