Debate begins to become Humberside Police's first crime commissioner
CANDIDATES vying to become the first Humberside police and crime commissioner have debated for the first time.
Five of the seven candidates bidding for the £75,000-a-year role took questions from community groups from across Hull.
Conservative candidate Matthew Grove, Liberal Democrat Simone Butterworth and independent candidates Paul Davison, Walter Sweeney and Neil Eyre took part in the debate, organised by the city's Neighbourhood Network.
Labour candidate Lord Prescott and UKIP MEP Godfrey Bloom did not attend.
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The candidates were asked what their first priority would be if they are elected as commissioner in November, with Mr Grove and Mr Sweeney both saying they would focus on cutting crime.
Mr Grove, a current East Riding councillor, said he will create a community crime reduction fund, which will give grants to pay for crime prevention schemes.
He said: "Reducing crime is not a role we can just leave to the police, it is for all of us to ensure we tackle crime.
"It is time to empower the public to work with the police and other agencies and then we can beat crime."
Mr Sweeney said it was important to "rebuild trust" between the police and the public.
"It is easier said than done to reduce crime and improve detections against a background of reducing resources, so I want to involve more and more people in the fight against crime."
Mr Davison, a former divisional commander for Humberside Police in the East Riding, said his priority is to replace the outgoing Chief Constable Tim Hollis.
"Reducing crime is a very difficult thing to do. I think the most important thing for Humberside Police is to get the right chief constable. That is absolutely crucial."
Neil Eyre, an unemployed man from Scunthorpe who describes himself as a "normal guy", said he would ensure there were no cuts to frontline policing.
Reading from an iPad as he delivered his answers, Mr Eyre said: "I would change the budget so non-essential services are the ones that see reductions in their budgets.
"Every person I have spoken to is sure they do not want to see cuts to frontline policing."
Ms Butterworth, a city councillor, said: "Reducing crime and increasing the satisfaction of victims would always be a priority, but they wouldn't be my first.
"That would be enhancing the lines of communication between the police and the community."
The question-and-answer session was part of the Neighbourhood Network's annual general meeting, which saw groups asked to submit questions to the potential commissioners.
The successful candidate will replace Humberside Police Authority, which is being abolished, as being responsible for the force's £180 million budget and setting its priorities.
During the debate, the candidates were also asked how they would deal with antisocial behaviour and noise nuisance, how they would reduce the fear of crime and how they would work with young people.
Mr Sweeney said he would like to bring back the stocks for offenders, while Mr Eyre said he want communities to deal with "irresponsible and unreasonable behaviour" by asking pubs and shops to ban troublesome residents and families.
Mr Davison said he would investigate every report of antisocial behaviour, with every victim being visited by police.
Ms Butterworth said more early intervention was needed to tackle the perpetrators of antisocial behaviour and Mr Grove said problems needed to be tackled "appropriately", with less focus on criminalising young people.
Voting will take place on November 15, with the commissioner taking office a week later.
Comments
by NeilTheasby
Sunday, September 30 2012, 8:18PM
“Mr Prescott is too old to be the police commissioner. He should retire gracefully from public life and take up hobbies suitable for a man of his age such as bowling, vegetable growing or bungee jumping. Ordinary working men are gone by sixty five or even earlier. Why should Mr Prescott be any different?”
by LaughingStorm
Sunday, September 30 2012, 4:26PM
“That's a great point, RabbitFord. White genocide is the single most pressing issue in all white countries and every white countries; and it needs to be addressed, not only at the national and international levels, but also at the local level. So it would certainly be relevant to hear the various positions of the candidates on the issue. And I agree with you about anti-White terrorism being a problem. When this many white people in this many countries are being raped and murdered by non-whites, with newspapers editing details or sweeping the crimes under the rug... well, it is only that way because somebody, somewhere WANTS it that way. Good post!”
by RabbitFord
Sunday, September 30 2012, 12:53PM
“I would be interested to know the candidates views on the crime of white g e n o c i d e that is being inflicted on us via massive non- white immigration.
Could the candidates also tell us what their policy would be on anti -White terror such as that recently brought to our attention in Rotherham? (i.e large scale rape of white schoolgirls)”
by PatrickNewman
Saturday, September 29 2012, 10:48AM
“" Mr Grove and Mr Sweeney both saying they would focus on cutting crime." Blow me why didn't the Chief Constable think of that. Basically their empty minds have to be filled with platitudes and clichés”
by Kustard2011
Saturday, September 29 2012, 9:18AM
“Te appointment of this 'non' job goes on and on.
I firmly believe that there is no need for a Police Commissioner.
How about this for an Idea.. First, ignore the Met Police and the Scottish Police. They have differing issues and legislation to deal with. Let them get on with it.
Abolish all the 39 provincial forces in England and Wales. Next divide the country into 4 regions. NE NW SE SW......... BINGO You only need 4 Chief Constables instead of 39. That alone is a huge saving. Then you could negotiate bulk buying and demand huge discounts from uniform manufacturers to vehicle deals....etc etc etc
This sound brilliant too me and far more sensible that the thought of having the bully Prescot or the ego Davison as a Police Commissioner.”