AVERTING G4S-style debacle and keeping party politics out of the police is the platform from which the chairman of Kent Police Authority will campaign for the new Police and Crime Commissioner role.

Ann Barnes has signalled her intention to stand in the county’s commissioner election on November 15, the same date the Kent Police Authority will be scrapped.

The Kent Police and Crime Commissioner will have the power to hire and fire chief constables, hold them to account and set force budgets.

Mrs Barnes launched her campaign outside County Hall in Maidstone on Monday, July 23, flanked by cardboard cut outs of David Cameron, Theresa May and Ed Miliband to reinforce her message that electing a candidate from a political party will bring the police force under party political control for the first time in its history.

She said the election was a "crisis point" for Kent Police and that allowing a party politician to run it would "open the door to widespread privatisation".

She said: "We could so easily see private firms like G4S patrolling our streets. We will have someone in charge of the Force who will have political masters in Westminster. Could such a person be trusted to put the people of Kent first and not just toe the Party line? This is a nightmare scenario."

Mrs Barnes described herself as the only independent candidate with a credible chance of beating the major parties and said that during her time as chairman of the KPA, crime fell by 31 per cent and detection rated rose by 33 per cent.

 

 

THE CANDIDATES

 

Craig Mackinley , Conservative.

Former UKIP leader turned Tory Medway Councillor. He is an accountant, which he thinks will help him to deal with funding cuts. A magistrate in north Kent and a member of KPA, he wants a victim-first approach, a war on drugs and a ‘no broken windows’ policy whereby even the smallest offences are targeted.

 

Harriet Yeo , Labour.

Leader of Ashford Council’s Labour group, charity fundraiser and transport trade union president. A member of Labour’s National Executive Committee, she wants visible policing, people to feel safe and a crackdown on domestic violence.

 

Dai Liyanage MBE , Independent.

A veteran councillor and former Mayor of Medway, who has been a member of Kent Police Association. He, too, wants the role to be free of political influence. The father-of-two would streamline admin and get civilians doing backroom work in order to get officers on the streets, as well as bringing in more realistic working patterns for staff.

 

Ian Driver , Independent.

 

A Thanet Councillor and charity manager. Wants a review of drugs and prostitution laws. Conversely he would be hard on domestic abuse, dangerous driving and hate crime.

 

Frances Croucher , Independent

 A former police officer who served as a neighbourhood officer near Swanley and was attacked leaving a meeting in 2010. Found not guilty of faking her injuries in a high-profile court case and resigned from the force in February.

She vows to care for victims, investigate complaints thoroughly and take a "hands-on" approach by listening to what communities want.

 

Ken Little , Independent.

A 57-year-old from Whitstable who encourages transparency in the police.

 

Fergus Wilson , Independent.

Maidstone property magnate and millionaire, 63.