Election candidates answer audience questions

A debate took place at BBC Radio Stoke between the candidates standing in the Staffordshire police, fire and crime commissioner election

The three candidates competing to be the Staffordshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner (PFCC) have been answering questions in a radio debate.

They tackled issues such as shoplifting, drug use, organised crime and anti-social behaviour.

The PFCC is responsible for a police budget of £265m and an additional £50m for the fire service.

The successful candidate will set priorities for both Staffordshire Police and Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service, and holds the chief constable and chief fire officer accountable.

There are three candidates pitching for the PFCC job on 2 May:

• Conservative, Ben Adams

• Liberal Democrat candidate, Alec Sandiford

• Labour candidate, Alastair Watson

Mr Sandiford was unable to attend the debate in front of an invited audience, but was asked the same set of questions.

Cutting crime in Hanley

Audience member Navid Kaleem, a pharmacist in Hanley and Shelton, said it felt as if crime was getting worse and panellists were asked how they would tackle it in the city centre.

Mr Watson said he would focus on more regular patrols to deter crime and improve response times.

Pharmacist Navid Kaleem wanted to know how the candidates would reduce crime

Mr Adams said Hanley was one of five hotspots identified in Staffordshire for additional money for extra patrols.

"It’s the thing the residents talk about more than anything," he said. "They do welcome seeing officers and PSCOs."

He said if he was re-elected he would support these with wardens, to increase visibility and act as a deterrent.

Mr Sandiford suggested recruiting more officers in schools and colleges, and bring in retired officers to train recruits.

He added that while there were many priorities, it was the "day-to-day anti-social behaviour that is kind of out of control".

Tackling drugs

Former drug addict Adam Brown, who is now an addiction recovery coach, said there were no quick fixes to stop drug dealing, but the panel were asked how they would tackle the issue.

Mr Watson said it was crucial to focus on preventative work.

"The knock-on effects of not doing it are costing society dear," he said.

Former addict Adam Brown asked if funding to tackle drug-use could be better spent on preventative work

Mr Sandford added that just “arresting people and putting them in prison isn’t solving the problem.

“You need to look at other services and making sure they’re funded too.”

Mr Adams agreed, saying the amount of money going into prevention work had doubled in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire over the past two years.

Will taxes rise?

Perhaps unsurprisingly, none of the candidates were keen to commit to putting up taxes to fund services.

“Last year I set the lowest council tax [precept rise] in the country," Mr Adams said, but admitted the public wanted a strong fire service and police force.

Mr Watson said the PCFC would have to be "realistic" about what people have been asked to pay.

“I always think we need to spend what we’ve already got better," he added, but called for more funding from central government.

Mr Sandiford echoed that, saying it was unfair to keep “squeezing” local taxpayers.

Value for money?

The candidates were asked if the chief constable's annual £157,000 salary and the chief fire officer's £144,000 were good value for money.

While Mr Adams said he “couldn’t be more delighted” with the chiefs he had recruited, the salaries were effectively set by the market.

Mr Sandiford, however, said they should be linked to performance and called for front-line officers to be paid more.

Polls are open from 07:00-22:00 BST on 2 May and voters are reminded to bring photo ID.