VOTERS will go to the polls on Thursday, May 2 to choose a new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Devon, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

There are 39 police areas spanning England and Wales, and each area elects a single commissioner to oversee and advocate for effective policing.

The core mission of PCCs revolves around cutting crime and delivering an efficient and responsive police service within their designated areas.

Elected by the public, the commissioners are entrusted with the responsibility of holding Chief Constables and their police forces accountable on behalf of the communities they serve.

This encompasses a range of duties, including setting the police budget to ensure effective allocation of resources, appointing Chief Constables to lead local police forces and actively engaging with the public and victims of crime to shape police and crime plans.

PCCs also work closely with local councils and community organisations to identify and address the specific needs and challenges of their areas.

We have already published in-depth features on each of the three candidates, and here's a quick overview on each of their pledges and aims.

They are ordered alphabetically by surname.

Alison Hernandez, Conservative

The current PCC writes: “I have worked and delivered on the issues that you told me mattered. Devon and Cornwall Police has a record number of police officers with an extra 686 since I took office. That’s thanks to our council tax payers and the government uplift. This enabled Operation Loki to be created to tackle anti-social behaviour.

“We remain one of the lowest crime rate areas in the country but our police force still needs to be more efficient and effective. Complacency is our enemy. I have re-opened 13 police station enquiry offices with five more to go if re-elected. Better access to policing where you live.

“My office has won national awards for creating affordable new homes built by prisoners to reduce reoffending and for the successful campaign of Operation Scorpion which improved the reporting of drug dealing; established Vision Zero to take dangerous drivers off our roads and invested £5 million into road safety.”

PROFILE: Tackling domestic violence and rural crime will be PCC's priorities if re-elected 

She added she’d helped to secure £5.5million of Safer Streets funding to improve CCTV, street lighting and help women and girls feel safer. “I still have the energy and strength to drive improvements so that we have less crimes, less victims and less offenders. Along with a police force we can all be confident in. Please vote for me to continue being your voice in matters of policing and crime.”

Steve Lodge, Liberal Democrats

A statement for the Lib Dem candidate says: “Steve will rebuild trust, unity and accountability in the fight against crime – engaging senior officers, communities and other agencie with a renewed focus on community policing and reform.

“If elected, Steve’s focus will be on:

  • Prevention – tackling the root causes of crime
  • Effectiveness – smarter policing for a safer tomorrow
  • Trust – rebuilding trust through transparency

PROFILE: Businessman and accountant with hopes to become Police and Crime Commissioner

“Steve’s priorities will include:

  • A return to genuine community policing, where officers are more visible and integrated into our communities and are trusted to deliver
  • Supporting officers to work with integrity and prevent discrimination
  • A renewed focus on “broken windows”: small crimes that damage confidence and trust in the police.

“Together, we can steer a return to proper community policing and people feeling safe – but only by voting for Steve Lodge and the Liberal Democrats,” adds the candidate’s statement.

Daniel Steel, Labour

The Labour candidate writes: “Wherever we live in Devon, Cornwall or the Isles of Scilly, one thing that connects us all is the need to feel safe. Anti-social behaviour, violence particularly against women and girls, drug-crime, and alcohol abuse continue to seriously harm our communities. Too many urban and rural crimes go unchecked, damaging our families and businesses. That’s why I’m standing for election as Police & Crime Commissioner.

“After 14 years of Tory mismanagement, Labour is committed to taking back our streets, halving serious violent crime and restoring confidence in our police and criminal justice system. I am too. This is where I grew up and where I’m proud to call home.

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“My career in public service has taken me to challenging and dangerous places including Afghanistan. It cemented my belief that law and order is the bedrock of our society. I will bring strength, integrity and honesty to the role, and pledge to:

“1. Put police back on the streets: More police officers and PCSOs on our streets to prevent crime, catch offenders and tackle anti-social behaviour.

“2. Tackle the levels of violence against women and girls: By creating new police specialists to tackle violence and rape.

“3. Prevent youth crime: Knife crime is soaring. I’ll ensure the police crack-down on serious violence and prevent young people getting drawn into crime.

“4. Boost crime prevention and victim support: To make it more local, and better focused on the challenges that face our rural areas and towns.

“5. Crackdown on illegal sewage dumping: I’m backing Labour’s tough plans to ensure water bosses overseeing repeated illegal sewage dumping are prosecuted.”

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Voters at polling stations must show photo identification (ID) before they can vote.

This also applies to a proxy voting on someone’s behalf.