I’m standing to be Sussex’s police and crime commissioner because I want to see the county I love get the policing it deserves.

Full statement

We know what that looks like because so many officers deliver outstanding policing day-in day-out. I want everyone who lives in Sussex to be able to expect that level of professionalism regardless of the colour of their skin, background, gender or orientation.

I’ll focus on preventing crime and violence, women’s and girls’ safety and I’ll support better funding for youth services while working to ensure we have excellent officers who are welcomed to the heart of every community and every home.

When officers are closely connected to the communities they serve we get a healthier policing culture, but when they’re cut off, as appears to have happened with elements of the Met in London, the opposite happens. We need to break down barriers and replace any sense of ‘them and us’ with a bigger us that brings police and residents together.

I grew up and live in Ticehurst. I went to local state schools and read philosophy and theology at Oxford. As a journalist and former foreign correspondent I campaigned on issues including human rights, miscarriages of justice, the treatment of migrant workers and sex trafficking.

This statement has been prepared by Jonathan’s election agent; Keith Obbard, of The Green Party Office, 39-41 Surrey Street, Brighton, Sussex, BN1 3PB