Police and Crime Commissioner: Sussex's candidates

The elections for police and crime commissioners will be held on 2 May

On 2 May voters across Sussex will go to the polls to choose the county's next police and crime commissioner (PCC).

Since 2012, PCCs have controlled forces' budgets, set their priorities and have the power to hire and fire chief constables.

The vote is being held alongside district and borough elections in areas where those are taking place, with photo ID required to vote in person at polling stations.

Sussex has four PCC candidates for 2024 and we asked each of them to tell us something about their background and ideas.

Jamie Bennett is the Liberal Democrat candidate

Jamie Bennett (Liberal Democrats)

I was born in Brighton, grew up in East Sussex but now serve my local community as a councillor in Rustington, West Sussex.

I want to bring back community policing, get drugs off our streets and deliver a fairer deal for Sussex.

Over £100m has been spent on running police and crime commissioners' offices across the UK since 2019, despite little evidence they have made the police more accountable to local communities.

We have seen the police’s share of our council tax bills rocket, yet we have nothing to show for our money but rising crime, more drugs and fewer police on our streets.

As a councillor I have seen first hand the impact of withdrawing community policing and increasing lawlessness on our streets.

These have been exacerbated by cuts to youth services, mental health, and road safety at West Sussex County Council.

Katy Bourne is the Conservative candidate

Katy Bourne (Conservative)

I have served as police and crime commissioner for Sussex since 2012.

I will continue cutting crime, catching criminals, fighting drugs gangs, county lines, serious violence and reducing re-offending - making everyone safer.

My results so far show household burglaries down 33%, total neighbourhood crime down 23%, more police officers in over a decade, and the top performing force for answering 999 and 101 calls.

I will keep policing visible and tackle anti-social behaviour by increasing the number of hotspot patrols, and I will put more investment into roads policing and aim to cut fatal and serious collisions by half by 2035.

I will make shops and businesses safer places to work and visit, introduce electronic tagging for shoplifters, further improve the police response to shoplifting, encourage more retailers to report, and continue support to local businesses through our Safer Sussex Business Partnership.

I will support victims of crime, especially our elderly and young, protect our vulnerable from all forms of abuse, and continue introducing innovation to keep women and girls safe in public spaces.

Jonathan Kent is the Green Party candidate

Jonathan Kent (Green Party)

I grew up and live in Ticehurst, went to local state schools in Sussex and Kent and read philosophy and theology at Oxford.

As a journalist and former foreign correspondent I reported for the BBC, Reuters, Newsweek, and National Public Radio, and focused on issues including human rights, miscarriages of justice, the treatment of migrant workers, and sex trafficking.

I now advise technology companies on communications.

We know what the best policing looks like because so many officers deliver that day-in day-out.

I want everyone who lives in Sussex to be able to expect that - regardless of the colour of their skin, background, gender or orientation.

I’ll focus on preventing crime and violence, women’s and girls’ safety, and support better funding for youth services while working to ensure we have excellent officers who are welcomed to the heart of every community and every home.

Paul Richards is the Labour candidate

Paul Richards (Labour)

I worked for Labour in government, including for the police minister as neighbourhood policing was introduced, advising two cabinet ministers.

I am an author, broadcaster, columnist, and am regularly on radio and television. I have published four books, with a fifth out later in 2024. I am married to Sarah, have two sons and live in Eastbourne.

If elected, I will be a full-time, accountable and accessible police and crime commissioner.

I will put more visible neighbourhood police patrols on our streets, estates and seafronts. Foot patrols will prevent crime and rebuild trust in the police. I will recruit more police and put them on our streets.

We need action on looting with faster police response times. Shop workers must be protected with new tough laws.

We need decent support for witnesses and victims, especially victims of rape and sexual assault.

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