THROUGHOUT this week, the Gazette will be previewing the seven candidates for the Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner election on May 5. Today in focus is Green Party candidate Chris Briton.

Chris Briton, councillor and former mayor of Wells City Council, has been selected to stand as the Green Party candidate for the post of police and crime commissioner for Avon and Somerset Constabulary.

Chris trained as a probation officer in Bristol, then worked for Berkshire and Somerset Probation Services. He then managed Turning Point, the drug and alcohol advisory service in Somerset before managing Mendip Children’s Centre in Frome. 

He recently retired from Somerset Youth Offending Team, where he worked as a specialist substance misuse officer.

Chris says his first priority for the role will be to focus on improving the service and protection of children and young people from physical and sexual harm.

He said: “Youngsters tend not to have a voice or be able to articulate what has happened to them. 

“We have let them down. That needs to change. Every child matters and that includes ‘Looked After’ kids. Confidence and trust in the police force will improve if we get that right.”

His second priority will be reducing drug related offending and the risks and harm associated with substance misuse. 

He said: “We need to move away from this outdated notion that we can win a ‘War on Drugs’. Decriminalisation and legalisation should be topics for serious discussion with the Home Office.”

Chris added that addressing the complex causes of crimes will make communities safer.