Police and Crime Commissioner elections getting closer

Polling cards are starting to be sent out to residents in Shropshire for the second Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

The election, taking place on Thursday 5 May 2016, is for the whole of the West Mercia area.

Police and Crime Commissioners are elected by the public to oversee how crime is tackled in their area to make sure the police are providing a good service. The role includes:

• Meeting the public regularly to listen to their views on policing
• Producing a police and crime plan setting out local policing priorities
• Deciding how the budget will be spent
• Appointing Chief Constables, and dismissing them if needed.

Details of the candidates standing for election in the West Mercia Police area will be available at www.choosemypcc.org.uk from 13 April 2016, and a print on demand phone line will also be available on 0800 1 07 07 08. People will be able to make their choice by going to their local polling station or voting by post. If you haven’t registered to vote, or if you aren’t sure whether you are on the Register of Electors, you can print off a form from www.aboutmyvote.co.uk, the website of the independent elections watchdog, the Electoral Commission, or telephone Shropshire Council on 0345 678 9015.

There is still time to register for a postal vote, by clicking here.

You can find more information about the elections on the Electoral Commission website by clicking here.