THROUGHOUT the past week, the Gazette has previewed the seven candidates for the Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner election on May 5. The final candidate in focus is Liberal Democrat candidate Paul Crossley.

An experienced local community leader from Bath, Paul Crossley has been announced as the Liberal Democrat candidate for the Avon and Somerset police and crime commissioner. 

Paul’s top priorities for the role are to improve the way public services and communities work together, and to cut the costs of the Commissioner’s office.

As the leader of Bath and North East Somerset Council from 2002-7 and from 2011-15, Paul helped turn it into one of the most successful councils in the area with low unemployment, high investment, great schools and low crime.

Paul said: “I am delighted and honoured to have been selected as the Liberal Democrat candidate.

“My experience running a large council enables me to improve efficiency whilst cutting waste and bureaucracy. 

“I have the highest regard for the people who make the police their career.

“I want to help Avon and Somerset Police be the best and most effective police force in the country.”

As police and crime commissioner Paul Crossley would prioritise five areas:

Closer working with councils, health and social services to ensure that people with mental health problems get the proper care they need rather than ending up in a police cell because there is nowhere else for them to go.

Rejuvenate community schemes such as Neighbourhood Watch and Farm Watch to ensure that communities feel involved and want to work with community-based policing.

Encourage the work of the ‘Street Pastor’ schemes that help keep our city and town centres safe at night and also help people who have had a good night out get home safely.

Increase the use of restorative justice and work to ensure that proceeds from crime are reclaimed from criminals and returned to victims and communities affected by criminal behaviour. 

Ensure that young people at risk of getting into a life of crime are diverted into positive channels for their lives.

Reduce bureaucracy, to enable our police to spend more time working in the community and less behind a desk, and cut the size of the office of the PCC to save vital funds.