We are providing all the candidates seeking election as Hertfordshire Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) with the opportunity to tell our readers what their priorities are, and to tell us a little more about themselves.
We’ve asked the same four questions to each candidate, for straightforward comparison, and we have invited candidates to supply social media and website links if they choose to.
In this article we speak to David Lloyd, standing for the Conservatives.
Related topics:
- Click here to read other Hertfordshire PCC candidate interviews
- Click here to read other articles about the Conservative Party
- Click here to read other articles about the PCC elections 2021
(1) Please tell us a little about yourself.
I have lived in Hertfordshire for over 25 years and am your current police and crime commissioner.
Prior to this role I was deputy leader of the County Council and have also served as a Borough Councillor.
I have a background in finance. I have built a national reputation for my campaign about bringing the criminal justice system together and I continue to study Criminology to try to understand why people commit crime and how to stop them.
When relaxing I enjoy watching live sport, theatre and art galleries – so I can’t wait until lockdown ends!
(2) What do you feel are the policing priorities in our area?
Whilst those crimes that cause most harm (serious violence, homicide, serious sexual offences, domestic abuse) will always be a top priority for all police forces, including Hertfordshire, we are fortunate in not having the same level of incidents that occur just over the border in London.
Thus it is the lower level offences that the public tell me that they feel most concerned about – anti-social behaviour, fly-tipping and speeding motorists.
That’s why I have focussed on them, and will continue so to do through special funding and joint action across the public sector.
(3) What initiatives would you seek to implement if elected on 6th May?
We have just started to roll out “Prevention First” across the Constabulary which seeks to prevent crime happening in the first place.
It builds on the evidence we have of which places are most at risk of harm and to focus on them both through policing and wider intervention (from health, housing and education).
It gives us a real opportunity to builder an even safer, better community and ask the question “in what sort of a place do we want to live”? I will also continue to invest heavily in our “Beacon” hub for victims of crime
(4) What skills/experience would you look to bring to the role?
I bring the unique experience of having been Hertfordshire PCC and of having chaired the national association of police and crime commissioners.
Those PCCs I have most admired, and learned from, recognise that the most important thing is to represent the people to the Constabulary, not to try to usurp the job of their Chief Constable.
The operational function is entirely for the Constabulary.
My skills of chairing, holding to account and understanding public finance are probably the most useful for this role and my experience of having held different elected roles for more than twenty years gives me a rich history on which to draw.
