Police and Crime Commissioner: The Kent candidates

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

On 2 May voters across Kent 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.

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

Graham Colley is the Liberal Democrat candidate

Graham Colley (Liberal Democrat)

I am president of the Liberal Democrat Lawyers, having studied law at Aberystwyth and the College of Europe.

I have been a legal aid solicitor in Lambeth, Westminster and Chatham, am a former Kent County Councillor and co-chair of the Kent Fire & Public Protection Committee, and three times have been a parliamentary candidate.

I have lived in Maidstone and Lenham and now live in Rochester, with a 15-year-old cat, Crackers.

I am standing for community policing (from the ground up, not the top down) and am looking for radical solutions - tackling the root of the problems that face our police.

I am seeking efficiency, but caring for the police force who serves us.

My number one priority is more Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) on the beat to combat burglary, anti-social behaviour and shoplifting.

Lenny Rolles is the Labour candidate

Lenny Rolles (Labour)

I am an experienced advocate. Whilst working for a national charity I brought enforcement agencies together, developing targeted solutions to fight and reduce organised crime.

I have been a councillor for over a decade. As a council cabinet member, I lead on initiatives to deliver services for residents, despite significant government cuts to public finances.

I will use this experience to develop a police and crime plan that reflects the needs of residents, and find solutions to deal with the current increases to anti-social behaviour in our communities, soaring levels of retail crime, escalating drugs offences and possession of weapons.

I will develop a plan to reduce violence against women and girls, ensuring survivors get the support and justice they deserve.

I live in Kent with my wife and daughter.

Matthew Scott is the Conservative candidate

Matthew Scott (Conservative)

I have served as PCC since May 2016. I have focussed on recruiting more police, reducing 101 waiting times and cutting crime.

I live in Swanley with my wife and three children. I have built an extensive amount of experience in the public sector and in business, having previously been a councillor and school governor, and serving as the chair of a company.

My experience shows I can be trusted to hold the chief constable to account. I have balanced every Kent Police budget. I have commissioned more services for victims of crime, and I’ve worked in partnership to support local neighbourhoods.