MY EXPERIENCE Having served as Sussex Police & Crime Commissioner since 2012, I have the experience and proven track record to continue making a difference to policing our county.

Full statement

As your PCC, I have robustly held the police to account on behalf of residents, successfully supported victims of crime and invested heavily in frontline policing.

SOME ACHIEVEMENTS SO FAR

Driven the biggest rise in police officer numbers in a decade – 21% more serious crimes solved Restored neighbourhood policing, recruited PCSOs – total neighbourhood crime down 23% Sussex Police top nationally for answering 999 and 101 calls Tackled shoplifting by establishing dedicated Business Crime Unit – solved rates up to 69.9% Delivered on rural crime concerns by expanding the Rural Crime Team Directed £millions to support victims of crime, divert young people from harm and help communities protect themselves

MY PLAN TO CUT CRIME – MORE POLICE, SAFER STREETS

Continue cutting crime, catching criminals, fighting drugs gangs, county lines and serious violence and reducing reoffending – making everyone Safer in Sussex

Keep policing visible, tackle antisocial behaviour and increase Hotspot Patrols More investment in Roads Policing – establish ‘Fatal Five Unit’ to tackle antisocial driving, speeding and save lives

Make shops and businesses safer places to work by tagging prolific shoplifters

Give our Rural Crime Team more tech capability

Support victims of crime, especially our elderly and young, and protect our vulnerable from all forms of abuse

This election matters.

The PCC is responsible for setting the £395 million budget, has powers to appoint and dismiss the Chief Constable and must ensure residents’ views are represented when setting policing priorities.

We’ve made real progress to deliver – let’s not put that work at risk now.

Address prepared by my Election Agent Theo Mirfin, Sussex Conservatives, First Floor, 62 Lower Street, Pulborough, RH20 2BW.