Lib Dems officially unveil candidate (From Watford Observer)

Christopher Townsend officially names as Liberal Democrat police and crime commissioner candidate

11:57am Monday 8th October 2012 in News By Mike Wright, Chief Reporter

Lib Dems officially unveil candidate

The new Liberal Democrat police and crime commissioner candidate outlined his election priorities after being officially unveiled this morning.

The Watford Observer reported that the party had selected Christopher Townsend, a councillor on Dacorum Borough Council who stood as a parliamentary candidate in South West Hertfordshire in the 2010 General Election, last week.

He was selected after the Lib Dems' original candidate, Ron Tindall, withdrew from the race over the summer.

Mr Townsend will now face off against Conservative David Lloyd and Labour candidate Sherma Batson in the November 15 ballot for the £75,000 a year post.

In a statement released today Mr Towsend said: "I have three priorities for policing in Hertfordshire. Number one is keeping crime rates low; people living Hertfordshire want to feel safe, and their homes to be safe, and as police and crime commissioner that would be my overall goal.

"Secondly I will manage the budget. Police forces across the country are facing significant financial challenges. I see the Police and Crime Commissioner as having a vital role in keeping as many Police Officers serving local people as possible, and to do everything possible to protect front-line Police services while making the books balance.

"My third priority is to make sure the police are communicating and working with the local Communities that they serve. I want Hertfordshire police service to be the best in the country, and that means listening to local people, hearing their problems and concerns, and then taking appropriate steps to fix them."