PCC elections: Candidates for the Northumbria area

Stewart Hay (Conservative)

RETIRED Detective Inspector Stewart Hay has 30 years of experience as a policeman, starting in Sunderland in 1975.

He subsequently became a solicitor, working in Northumberland.

He was born in the county, has always lived in the area and in his younger days played rugby and cricket for local teams.

Mr Hay intends to use his four decades of experience in the criminal justice system in the role of the PCC, engaging and explaining policing to the public.

He said: “I intend to continue the good work the force has done regarding domestic violence in what is often referred to as hidden crime.

“I will not be a single issue PCC, and will overhaul and re-write the policing plan dealing with the recent increased surge of crime, addressing all crime issues, introducing innovation where relevant.

“I will not become a director of any connected charity specifically any victim’s charity, although would continue to appropriate funding as the PCC is responsible for the allocation of funds to them, making it clear I have no personal interest and can exercise duties transparently without fear or favour.

“There will be no political appointments to the PCC office and the future reduced PCC staff will be employed on merit not because of membership of a political party.

“I will work to help develop Northumbria Police, the largest force in the region, making them strategic in a regional strategy thereby attracting extra government funding.”

Vera Baird QC (Labour)

VERA Baird was the first Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria area and claims to have exceeded the local priorities she set out in her plan.

She is a criminal law QC, was the MP for Redcar, and was a minister in the Labour government, appointed Solicitor General in 2007, the House of Common's most senior law officer.

As Solicitor General, Mrs Baird was particularly involved in criminal justice policy and legislation, especially on gender and equality policies.

She said: “I've worked hard to tackle issues that matter.

“Anti-social behaviour is now being tackled well in Northumbria, working in partnership with organisations to ensure the minority who cause a problem know their behaviour is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

“I have led the way in tackling domestic and sexual abuse, a regional strategy has been implemented, police officers are better trained to offer support and advice to victims and they take the matter very seriously.

“Neighbourhood Policing is our number one priority.

“Police stations have been relocated to community hubs, making police officers more accessible and all savings from old and out of date police stations have been reinvested back into policing.

“Victims of crime remain at the heart of everything I do and they get the support they need.

“We have a satisfaction rate of 91 per cent, the highest in the country, but I want this figure even higher.

“Northumbria deserves the very best policing, we are well on the way to delivering this and if re-elected will continue to do so.”

Jonathan Wallace (Liberal Democrat)

DOCTOR Jonathan Wallace, a Lib Dem Councillor for 29 years, is leader of the opposition on Gateshead Council.

The 52-year-old is an experienced campaigner who aims to cut crime, put communities at the heart of policing and scrap Police and Crime Commissioners.

Seven years ago he gave up paid employment to live the “good life”, growing his own food and keeping bees, goats and chickens.

Dr Wallace claims this has given him a great insight into rural issues which are often ignored.

He represents a partly rural, partly suburban area in Gateshead, an otherwise mainly urban council, and feels this has given him a great understanding of the different issues affecting Tyne and Wear and Northumberland.

Dr Wallace said: “I am aiming to abolish PCCs. They have been an expensive failed experiment. I want the money spent on police officers rather than politicians and their offices.

“The police are too often tied up in red tape. They need to be freed from too much time stuck behind desks to spend more time on the streets.

“More needs to be done to stop re-offending. I will focus on rehabilitation and restorative justice so offenders pay back to victims and the local community. “This would cut crime, save police time and taxpayers’ money.

“At-risk teenagers and young adults should be identified and supported before they fall into a life of crime.

“So if you want less money put into politicians and more into police on the beat, vote for Jonathan Wallace.”

Melanie Hurst (UKIP)

EVENTS co-ordinator and political advisor, Melanie Hurst works across the country from her home in Stocksfield, Northumberland.

She has worked as a parliamentary researcher for North-East MEP Jonathan Arnott and was a civil servant for over 20 years, starting her career with the job Centre.

Mrs Hurst has also worked as the manager of the National Identity Fraud Unit, then as the manager of a region-wide North-East organised fraud team.

She said: “I have always supported transparency in the public sector and as an elected UKIP PCC I would deliver this by representing those who elected me through a positive united approach in delivering my responsibilities by ensuring Northumbria Police are open and honest in their actions and accountable to you.

“I am lucky enough to represent a party that will not pressure me into political decisions; I will make decisions that are right for our communities not the politicians.

“I also have a sound working knowledge of enforcement legislative requirements and constraints in executing duties as well as experience of leading people and managing budgets.

“I understand the competing priorities and demands encountered when trying to deliver government targets against a backdrop of budget reductions and staffing issues.

“I would like to see more done for victims of sexual abuse, assault or exploitation, such as more accessible services for both children and adults to be able to report incidents through.

“I believe there’s a need for this type of service and that it could be developed and led by Northumbria Police Force working in conjunction with local authorities and other agencies to make this type of crime as easy to report as house burglary or common assault.”