Hertfordshire's police commissioner candidates

Hertfordshire has only ever known one police and crime commissioner (PCC), but Conservative David Lloyd has chosen not to stand again at the election on 2 May.

The PCC's role is to hold the local police force to account.

Their duties include appointing the chief constable, setting the budget and deciding how much council tax precept to charge local people.

Here are the candidates seeking election, listed in alphabetical order by surname.

The son of a chartered accountant and teaching assistant, Jonathan Ash-Edwards was one of the youngest councillors in England after being elected to Mid Sussex District Council, before later becoming its leader.

He says he started his first business at 24 and has worked in education in Hertfordshire.

Mr Ash-Edwards said the departing Mr Lloyd had "delivered the highest number of police officers" in the county's history with "one of the lowest council tax precepts".

"Hertfordshire remains one of the safest places in the country," he claimed.

“If elected I’ll work to ensure the record officer numbers translate into the visible and responsive neighbourhood policing we all want to see.

"I’ll support Hertfordshire Constabulary to be tough on crime and provide effective, value for money policing."

Matt Fisher is deputy chair of the Green Party's St Albans branch and was elected onto the local district council last May.

He has worked in the police and the Royal Navy. He runs his own business, is coordinator for his local neighbourhood watch and is a trustee for a youth charity.

Mr Fisher ran a recycling scheme which he claimed saved more than one million plastic coffee pods from going to landfill.

"My commitment to the community and environmental sustainability along with strong leadership skills underpins my goal to create lasting change," said Mr Fisher.

"I have a strong moral compass, a sense of duty, and an innovative mindset.

"These qualities make me eager to collaborate with various community groups to develop strategies for safer, more vibrant communities."

Tom Plater studied music and drama, but is now a councillor at North Herts Council and works as an event security administrator.

He grew up in Letchworth and now lives in Stevenage. He is a school governor and a trustee for a local community forum.

“With increasing anti-social behaviour in our county and a 35% increase in shoplifting last year we have to take action now," he said.

"If elected I will work to put more bobbies on the beat across Hertfordshire and make sure we protect our shop workers and combat violence against women and girls in our county by introducing domestic abuse charity staff into our control rooms and review vetting practices in our force."

Sean Prendergast is an investigator for the Housing Ombudsman Service and is the portfolio holder for housing and environmental health at North Herts Council.

He has previously worked as a police community support officer and is a trustee for a charity that supports survivors of domestic abuse.

“We need greater emphasis on positive neighbourhood policing in order to deal with the issues that impact communities the most, such as anti-social behaviour and serious inquisitive crime like burglary and vehicle crime," he said.

“We also need a more active and visible PCC for Hertfordshire - a PCC who is involved in the community and who understands and engages with the concerns and needs of residents.

"If elected, I will work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcomes for us all.”

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