Police and Crime Commissioner - find out more (From Worcester News)

Police and Crime Commissioner - find out more

2:00am Sunday 28th October 2012 in Worcester

CANDIDATES vying to become Herefordshire and Worcestershire first Police and Crime Commissioner will be in the hot seat on Monday.

West Mercia Women’s Aid and West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Centre are co-hosting the hustings at the University of Worcester from 6pm.

Ruth Jones, senior lecturer in the Department of Applied Social Sciences and Worcestershire Woman of the Year for Achievement will chair the event.

It will be an opportunity for the audience to find out more about the candidates, especially in relation to their views on tackling domestic abuse and sexual violence.

Under the spotlight will be Simon Murphy (Labour), Adrian Blackshaw (Conservative Party) and Bill Longmore (Independent), who are battling to be elected on November 15.

The new PCC will be responsible for appointing the chief constable and holding them to account, producing a five-year police and crime plan setting out local policing policies, setting the annual police force budget and making funding available to organisations that reduce crime or that promote increased community confidence.

Jan Frances, CEO at WMWA, said: “This event will provide a really valuable opportunity to hear from the candidates and to put questions to them about issues that affect our lives, our safety and the future of our communities.

“It is our chance to make our voices heard and influence the West Mercia candidates before the election.”

To book a place at the event and/or to send a question for the panel, email events@westmerciawomensaid.org