Suffolk local elections 2024: Who are the police and crime commissioner candidates?

The results will be announced in Bury St Edmunds

Voters will head to the polls to elect Suffolk's police and crime commissioner (PCC) on 2 May.

The role was established in 2012 and PCCs hold police forces to account and decide on budgets.

The last election took place in 2021 after being postponed a year due to coronavirus.

This election will be judged on a first past the post system and the winner will be announced on 3 May in Bury St Edmunds.

These are the candidates standing to be Suffolk's PCC (listed alphabetically):

Tim Passmore, Conservative

Tim Passmore used to be a leader of a council

The candidate has held the role since it was introduced in 2012 and used to be the leader of Mid Suffolk Council.

Mr Passmore said: "I am committed to continuing the multi-agency successes in countering gangs, county lines drug crime and anti-social behaviour. Supporting rural communities and business is fundamental. The interests of Suffolk will always come first.

"Despite our funding challenges and continuing change in crime patterns, Suffolk Constabulary performs very well."

James Sandbach, Liberal Democrats

James Sandbach said he wanted to abolish the role

He stood for the role in 2021 and is a Saxmundham councillor who is interested in access to justice, equalities and human rights.

Has stood previously for the Lib Dems in general elections.

He said: "I'm running on a platform to abolish the office of the police and crime commissioner in Suffolk.

"The office has cost the taxpayer around £4.5m in the last five years; if elected I will refuse to take up the position, and will not claim any salary or expenses."

Rachel Smith-Lyte, Green Party

Rachel Smith-Lyte said there had been an erosion of front line policing

She is an East Suffolk councillor who stood in the 2019 general election and a cabinet member for the environment at the local authority.

Ms Smith-Lyte wanted to see more officers on patrol and would make wildlife crime a priority.

"Officers are having to plug the gap left by struggling court and mental health services," she said.

"We have seen an erosion of front line policing with the beat seemingly a thing of the past."

Sir Robin Wales, Labour

Sir Robin Wales wanted to tackle rural crime

The former councillor was Mayor of Newham, in east London, between 2002 and 2018.

He lives in Cavendish in south Suffolk.

Sir Robin said if elected he would make efficiency savings and reinvest in frontline services.

He said his priorities were "targeting county lines and taking a zero tolerance approach to shoplifting and anti-social behaviour."

He added that he wanted to "invest resources to tackle rural crime."