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 Philip Ross, standing for the Labour Party.
Related topics:
- Click here to read other Hertfordshire PCC candidate interviews
- Click here to read other articles about the Labour Party
- Click here to read other articles about the PCC elections 2021
(1) Please tell us a little about yourself.
I am married with three children and I’ve lived in Letchworth Garden City for over 20 years.
I work as a self-employed business consultant currently specialising in digital transformation and cyber-security projects.
I am a leading campaigner in the freelancing movement. I was one of the founding members of the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed (IPSE) in 1999.
Today I am the Ambassador for Self-employment for Co-operatives(UK).
I am the former Mayor of Letchworth Garden City and am a published author on Garden Cities and an international speaker on the topic of sustainable communities and community land.
(2) What do you feel are the policing priorities in our area?
My CIVIC plan for Hertfordshire – is a mnemonic – for the plan is to focus on
C- Causes of Crime. (We will be tough on county Lines drugs gangs that target school aged children, anti-social behaviour and cyber-crime)
I – Intelligence-led policing. (To detect and prevent crime as opposed to just responding and recording it)
V – Victims of crime. (Help people come forward)
I – Investment in numbers, training and equipment. (In cyber crime and in officer support)
C – Community led, involved and accountable policing model. (Working with communities to deliver that intelligence led policing model)
(3) What initiatives would you seek to implement if elected on 6th May?
To be safe on-line, in our homes and on our streets:
• Creating the role of commissioner for anti-social behaviour who will use a power called the community trigger to make the police, councils and other agencies all work together resolve problems not just pass them on.
• Make tackling the supply of drugs to school age children a #1 priority, both in disrupting supply and dismantling networks.
• Update training for the police so that cyber-crime, fraud and on-line stalking and harassment can be dealt with better.
• Focus on safe streets and pledges to combat violence against women and young girls.
(4) What skills/experience would you look to bring to the role?
In-touch – with our communities and their problems both in rural and urban areas. I listen. As expert in cyber security I understand the new threats facing our society. More importantly as a parent with children I can empathise.
Experienced – with 30 years in business and in cyber-security, working for myself. As a founder of Britain’s biggest trade association for freelance workers (30k members). As a former Mayor of Letchworth.
Capable – of delivering change that can transform Hertfordshire in the long term, so we can all be safe on-line, at home and on the streets.
