Mark Shelford, former Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset (2021-2024)
Mark spent 32 years as an Army officer, serving all over the world in major conflicts including Kuwait and Afghanistan. After his final posting to the US to work with NATO he returned to his west country roots and has lived In Bath with his family for the past decade.
He continued in public service, being elected as a local councillor and serving as Deputy Leader of Bath and North Somerset council until 2019.
In 2021 Mark was elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset an in the post-Covid shortened term he achieved a phenomenal amount:
- He appointed a new courageous Chief Constable who has dramatically changed the force, driving forward new investigating methods and improving accountability and transparency.
- 1500 new officers have been trained delivering an increase of over 500 extra officers -deployed to neighbourhoods and CID.
- Opening up new police stations in Bath and Minehead and investing in major refurbishments of the Yeovil and Trinity Road stations.
- The force is now the BEST performing constabulary in England for disrupting illegal drug activity.
- A dedicated Rural Crime team and force wide training to be able to deal with illegal encampments, livestock and machinery theft. Farmers and isolated communities are receiving the support they deserve.
- Combatting violence against women and girls – a 300% increase in rape charges reaching the courts.
- Reducing re-offending by launching the award-winning Prisoners Building Homes scheme -providing employment skills for ex-offenders to help them get a fresh start.
Every month he publicly challenged the Chief Constable on progress through a livestreamed Police Accountability Board.
He successfully lobbied government for over £1m in extra funding to tackle ‘hot-spots’ in local communities – reducing anti-social behaviour and ensuring people feel safer on their streets.
He is particularly committed to protecting our young people. Many are at risk of criminal exploitation both online and in their communities. Mark is investing in education and outreach programmes to reduce knife crime and serious violence.
As the national PCC lead for cyber and economic crime and Avon and Somerset he oversaw a significant reduction in online scams and fraud, something he remains committed to tackling.