Cambridgeshire's police commissioner candidates for 2024 election

The election for the next police and crime commissioner for Cambridgeshire will take place on 2 May

An election to choose the next police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Cambridgeshire will take place 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 police budget and deciding how much council tax precept to charge.

They are also responsible for setting the police and crime plan and bringing together community safety groups.

The election takes place on the same day as local elections in some council areas.

Following a law change last year, people who vote in person will have to remember to bring a form of photo ID with them.

The candidates below are listed in alphabetical order by surname.

Edna Murphy - Liberal Democrats

Edna Murphy is the Liberal Democrat candidate

Edna Murphy served as a magistrate in Cambridge for more than 25 years and spent time chairing the Youth Court.

She currently chairs the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Fire Authority, is a county councillor for Bar Hill and a board member at the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority, which works with councils, the government, universities, businesses and others to grow the economy.

On her priorities if elected, she said the police "need to do more on persistent problems such as sexual assault and on new priorities such as fraud".

"On both of those, victims currently report to the police just one in six or one in seven of the crimes they experience, which shows just how low victims' confidence is in the service. That needs massively to improve.

"I'll champion effective crime reduction strategies such as restorative justice, tackling prolific offenders, and evidence-driven community policing. Above all, I'll ensure that the police are proactive and treat victims with respect, not just as statistics."

Darryl Preston - Conservative

Darryl Preston is the Conservative candidate

Darryl Preston has held the role of police and crime commissioner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough since 2021.

He is a former senior detective in Cambridgeshire and has also served in the Metropolitan Police.

He said his priorities included tackling crime and anti-social behaviour, promoting road safety, fighting drugs and violence and ensuring rural safety.

After being re-selected for this year's ballot, he said: "It has been an honour and a privilege to serve as the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough police and crime commissioner for the last three years.

"I have spent my life protecting the public and, if elected on 2nd May, I will continue to keep all our communities safer."

Anna Smith - Labour

Anna Smith is the Labour candidate

Anna Smith is currently deputy mayor of the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.

She is also a Cambridge city councillor and a former leader of the authority.

Speaking after her selection, she said: "I am determined to work with the police and the public to tackle head-on the issues we all face, from anti-social behaviour to dangerous driving, from violence against women and girls to drug-dealing, knife crime and gangs.

"I spent 18 years working in the public sector in our local community as a teacher and senior leader in schools. I've had nearly 10 years as an elected representative, as councillor, council leader, acting mayor and deputy mayor.

"I have a track record of leadership and of getting things done."