Candidates for the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner Elections on 2 May

Four candidates are standing for the Surrey Police and Crime Commissioner elections on Thursday 2 May 2024. The candidates are: Kate Chinn, Labour Party Alex Foy Coley, Independent Paul Kennedy, Liberal Democrat Lisa Townsend, Conservative Candidate. A full list of the Police and Crime Commissioner candidates is available to download.

More information on each candidate will be available on the Choose my Police and Crime Commissioner Website from around 10 April, including candidate photos and campaign statements.

Mari Roberts-Wood, Managing Director at Reigate & Banstead Borough Council, is the Police Area Returning Officer (PARO) responsible for the May 2024 PCC elections in Surrey, including ensuring they are run and promoted consistently across the county.

Mari Roberts-Wood said: “I’d like to encourage everyone to check out the candidates on the Choose my Police and Crime Commissioner Website where you can learn why they want to be Surrey’s next Police and Crime Commissioner. The elections on 2nd May are an important opportunity to have a say on who represents you on issues in your local area.”

Five key responsibilities of the Commissioner

• To hold the police to account on behalf of the public, including holding the Chief Constable to account for Force performance. This is done through regular internal discussions as well as public performance meetings. It also includes the power to appoint or remove the Chief Constable when necessary
• To provide a link between the police and Surrey residents. This includes listening to feedback from the public on policing and crime reduction and pursuing improvements that can be made by or in partnership with Surrey Police
• To set the strategic direction and aims for Surrey Police through the Police and Crime Plan, and to propose the amount of council tax that will go towards policing from Surrey residents. The successful PCC candidate will consult the public to inform the development of a new Police and Crime Plan.
• To promote community safety, reduce re-offending and support victims. The Commissioner uses the majority of their budget to support services that work in partnership to achieve these aims and regularly bids for additional funding from Government that enhances this work in Surrey
• To be responsible for all funding relating to policing and reducing crime and to work with the Chief Constable to set the force budget in line with priorities and deliver value for money for residents.

Announcement issued 8th April 2024