Candidates for West Mercia police and crime commissioner

Voters will elect a PCC on Thursday, May 2, the same day as the local elections.

West Mercia is the fourth largest geographic police force area in England and Wales and covers three counties - Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire.

Telford and Wrekin Council is the authority in charge of administering this year’s West Mercia PCC election and will be responsible for declaring the eventual result.

John-Paul Campion is the Conservative candidate (Image: choosemypcc.org.uk)

John-Paul Campion, the Conservative candidate in this year’s election, is hoping for a third consecutive term having been first elected in 2016.

“I have overseen a fall in crime in West Mercia and the recruitment of 500 additional police officers, taking the force to record numbers,” he said.

“I am determined that communities must now feel the full benefit. Where crime falls further, victims are better supported and people feel safer.”

Richard Overton is the Labour candidate (Image: choosemypcc.org.uk)

Richard Overton, who serves as a councillor in Telford and Wrekin, is the Labour candidate for PCC.

He says his priorities include investing in community policing, combating violence against women and girls, and tackling violent crime.

“For too long people have felt let down by the lack of visible police officers on our streets, and the time taken to respond to calls to 101 and 999,” he said. “Victims feel let down and not supported. It’s time to take back our streets.”

Sarah Murray, the Lib Dem candidate (Image: supplied)

Worcester councillor Sarah Murray is the Liberal Democrat candidate.

She says her life’s work in law, education and mental health has led her towards the role of PCC.

“A passionate advocate for ending violence against women and girls, I want to see more done to support victims of male violence - including timely prosecutions,” she said.

“I am also aware of male victims of domestic abuse and will work to reduce the stigma surrounding this. No victim should feel unheard, even if they wish to remain unseen.”

Julian Dean is the Green candidate (Image: choosemypcc.org.uk)

Shropshire councillor Julian Dean is the Green Party candidate.

“If elected I would resist further cuts to our critical police service in Shropshire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire and Telford & Wrekin,” he said.

“This would send a message to the government that our communities need better support to feel safe and secure, and that officers need to feel supported, resourced and valued to do the best job they can.”

Henry Curteis is the English Democrats candidate (Image: choosemypcc.org.uk)

Henry Curteis, a jewellery manufacturer who once stood for Parliament, is the English Democrats candidate.

His priorities include focusing on scrapping diversity targets, stopping “the growth of thought crime”, stopping police budgets funding Pride, and ensuring “white, English, male and Christian applicants should not face discrimination”.