Bob Ashford to stand as Labour police commissioner candidate

Mr Ashford says he is opposed to the privitisation of the police

The Labour Party has selected its candidate to stand in the Avon and Somerset police commissioner election later this year.

Bob Ashford is a former councillor from Frome who has worked with young offenders.

On Saturday the Conservatives chose former Somerset County Council leader Ken Maddock as their candidate for the new £85,000 post.

The Liberal Democrats are expected to declare their candidate later.

'Public confidence'

<link> <caption>In a statement on his website</caption> <altText>Link to Bob Ashford's website</altText> <url href="http://bobashford.wordpress.com/" platform="highweb"/> </link> , Mr Ashford said he was opposed to the privatisation of the police.

"When the public want to see a police officer they should get one, not an employee of a private security firm," he said.

"Privatising policing not only poses a major threat to jobs and services but will also serve to undermine public confidence, the very foundation of an effective police force and policing," he added.

Phil Gaskin, regional director of the Labour Party South West, said Mr Ashford had a wealth of experience in the field of crime and justice.

"We look forward to the campaign, and providing voters across the Avon and Somerset Police Authority area with a clear alternative to the government's agenda, which hits local communities across Avon and Somerset very hard," he added.

Police and crime commissioners will be elected in 41 areas across England and Wales on 15 November.