This Thursday Avon and Somerset residents go to the polls to vote for their Police and Crime Commissioner.
It's been my privilege to be your PCC for the last three years and I am asking for your vote to continue delivering on your priorities and working to make Avon and Somerset safer.
Judge me on what I have achieved, I've delivered on my promises.
- Over 1500 newly trained officers to deliver an uplift of 500 police officers - 1/3 going to CID, 2/3 going to Neighbourhoods.
- Opening new police stations in Bath and Minehead.
- Refurbished stations in Chard and Yeovil.
- Avon and Somerset are now the best performing force for disrupting illegal drug activity.
- New investigation model has delivered a 300% increase in rape charges reaching the courts.
- Reducing reoffending by giving prisoners skills training through the Prisoners Building Homes programme.
This is along with an increased rural crime focus - training over 500 officers to be able to deal with wildlife crime, farm security and illegal hunting.
All officers now receive training in recognising the signs of domestic abuse - from coercive control to financial abuse.
There's still more to do.
Organised crime gangs are targeting businesses and shoplifting is a real problem.
Our young people are vulnerable to serious violence and we need to drive down knife crime incidents.
I promise to work every day in combatting and preventing crime, making Avon and Somerset an even safer place to live.
Thank you for your support.
Vote Mark Shelford this Thursday 2nd May. More Police. Safer Streets.
