I’m a former Crown Prosecutor.

Full statement

I understand how our criminal justice system operates.

Before I was a prosecutor, I was a legal adviser to the magistrates. Since leaving the CPS, I’ve been doing private work.

There are too many incidents where the Police are failing the public. The responsibility for this lies with the PCC, not the front line officers.

According to ONS statistics, since 2019, knife crime in England and Wales has decreased by 8%. In Northumbria it has risen by 43%. 100% of Burglaries reported in whole wards in Northumbria remain unsolved. Over 60% of police desks have been closed. 64 Northumbria Police officers have been accused of domestic violence and sexual assault. A shoplifting epidemic is blighting our high streets causing local businesses to go under. 100,000 anti-social behaviour calls have not been attended.

Yet we’ve been charged a 36% increase in council tax. This isn’t good value for money.

The public have lost confidence in their political leadership. National Parties treat this role as a career stepping stone. We need someone with experience, independent of political control, to put things right.

I will focus on getting criminal cases processed. Wheels of justice are too slow, taking years for a case to come to court. Too many criminals believe they can offend without consequences, then ask for other offences to be taken into account.

I will focus on rehabilitation. Far too many petty criminals serve short sentences, and then go back into crime. We need to help them get off drugs, find jobs and homes, and get their lives back on track.

Party Politicians treating rising crime as a “public health issue”. It’s not. It’s about enforcing the law to keep people safe.

Prepared by Habib Rahman, 2 Friars Street, Newcastle, NE1 4XA, Agent for Mustaque Rahman.