ELECTIONS 2016: PCC hopefuls clash in first hustings at Worcester pub

All six hopefuls set out their case at the city's Cap 'N' Gown last night, where they were grilled with questions around youth offending, Government cuts, taxes and how to fund the force.

The Conservative candidate Councillor John Campion laid his stall out by taking a swipe at independent Barrie Sheldon, saying he was "outraged" how he'd managed to become the deputy PCC to Bill Longmore without a competitive interview process.

During the debate Lib Dem hopeful Councillor Margaret Rowley lambasted crime levels as "simply unacceptable", claiming people have been "let down by under-investment and a lack of strong leadership" for too long.

The night also saw one member of the audience claim a secret paedophile ring was operating in Worcester, in a written question challenging them to do something about it - but the person chose to remain anonymous.

Mr Sheldon, who is standing to take over the top job from Mr Longmore, said: "I myself have the same ideas as Bill - we are truly independent and have no affiliation to any political parties.

"The people of West Mercia need an independent PCC able to be free of party politics."

He also said the challenge was getting people to actually vote on May 5 - saying so many residents are still unaware of what a PCC does.

"The amount of people who have no idea about a PCC, the amount of people who aren't interested, the amount of people who think PCC's are a waste of money - I can tell you we've got a real challenge on our hands," he said.

Councillor Campion pointed to his background working in the high security prison service and his political career, including leading Wyre Forest District Council and being part of the leadership team at County Hall.

He said he was "not a retired middle-ranking police constable who wants to boss the chief constable about" and insisted he'd "make sure every penny is spent efficiently without asking for a penny more".

During the debate Councillor Rowley reiterated the Lib Dem's critical stance on PCCs, saying the £75,000-a-year role is democratically flawed because it "gives too much power to one person".

She also referred to the HM Inspectorate of Constabulary report two months ago which said the force 'required improvement', saying people need "a new approach" to tackling crime.

Mr Sheldon, in turn, pointed to West Mercia being one of the safest areas of the country, and cautioned candidates against trying to be great reformers.

"I'm hearing other people say 'I'm going to transform the police service', but I can tell you that train left the station 18 months ago," he said.

He said "we are already on the way to doing that", citing the alliance with Warwickshire, an IT overhaul, a plan to give PCs smartphones and future investment in a new 'digital depository' to fight crime.

LABOUR'S HOPEFUL LAYS INTO GOVERNMENT OVER FORCE CUTS

LABOUR candidate Dan Walton used the hustings to attack the Government over funding cuts - saying he is standing on a ticket of supporting public services.

Mr Walton, who stood for Labour in West Worcestershire at the 2015 General Election, told the audience West Mercia Police had lost £40 million since 2010.

He said: "When people go to the ballot box I'd urge them to think, are these people (the candidates) apologising about those cuts?

"What we're saying in the Labour Party is, enough is enough - we cannot do policing on the cheap.

"We've got to go back to the Government and address that funding gap."

He pointed to West Mercia getting an unfair deal, saying funding per-head compared to the West Midlands is a third lower - and cast doubts over crime levels falling.

"Crime is changing, not falling - and pressures on the police are getting worse," he said.

During the debate UKIP's candidate Peter Jewell agreed, saying the Government had overseen "cuts for cuts sake".

He also pointed to his vast experience in private industry and current role as UKIP's treasurer looking after its finances nationwide, saying the PCC role required someone with a grasp of figures.

"This is a £204 million pound operation, it's not a council where you've got lots of different officials standing around you telling you what do to," he said.

"When you are the police and crime commissioner, you are standing on your own - you aren't the policeman, but you are the person who actually runs the purse."

I WON'T APPOINT A DEPUTY, SAYS GREEN AS CANDIDATES ROW OVER 'CRONYISM'

GREEN Party candidate Councillor John Raine says he won't appoint a deputy if he gets elected - saying he wants to "rebuild trust" in the PCC role.

Back in 2012 the previous police and crime commissioner Bill Longmore appointed Mr Sheldon as his £50,000-a-year deputy without any competitive process, sparking controversy.

During the debate Mr Sheldon said if he took over the top job, he'd open up a proper process for a number two - but some candidates said they would not appoint one at all.

Councillor Raine, a criminal justice and policing expert at the University of Birmingham, said: "I wasn't expecting to appoint a deputy, and I still think I'm not expecting to appoint a deputy.

"What I would seek to do is really build a team around me involving councillors, because they do have a democratic mandate."

He also told the audience he had a "respectful, exemplary" leadership style and said "we've cheated ourselves" by failing to tackle youth offending better.

Mr Walton said he would not appoint a deputy either, saying he felt he could cover three counties on his own - while Councillor Campion said he'd appoint a "part-time deputy" via an open process.

Councillor Rowley and Mr Jewell said they had yet to decide on it yet, but insisted if they did have deputies, it would be done competitively.

Mr Sheldon told the pub the first PCC to appoint "a so-called crony" was a Tory in Northamptonshire, saying his appointment was "not unique to West Mercia".

But he said he'd open it up if he became the PCC himself, saying he'd also consider appointing a "shared deputy" with Warwickshire police.