Sheffield First Partnership, The Star and Sheffield for Democracy have teamed up to host hustings for the Police & Crime Commissioner for South Yorkshire.

Monday, November 5, 2012 5:00pm – 7:00pm,
Peak Lecture Theatre,
Sheffield Hallam University (The Owen Building),

• DAVID ALLEN – English Democrats
• JONATHAN ARNOTT  – UKIP
• NIGEL BONSON – Conservative
• ROBERT TEAL – Liberal Democrats
• SHAUN WRIGHT- Labour

David Allen, sales manager for a large industrial minerals company, is the English Democrats’ candidate in South. Yorkshire. Doncaster born and bred, Mr Allen said the policing budget should not be cut and that the resources available should be spent on crime prevention. He believes “the office of constable is the cornerstone of British justice” and the “difficult and dangerous” role should be exempt from political interference.

Jonathan Arnott, the general secretary of UKIP, is representing his party in the police and crime commissioner election. Mr Arnott said he believed “the criminal justice system should be tough enough to protect local people and deter criminals from offending”. He added: “My plan would be to work with South Yorkshire Police, making sure they are held to account, and dealing with policing priorities and budgets.”

Nigel Bonson, a former chief inspector with Greater Manchester Police for 30 years, is standing on behalf of the Conservative Party. Mr Bonson said his aim would be to “give safety back to the public by giving strength back to the

force”. He said: “I have the skills and experience to work with the public, the police and their partners to identify and prioritise exactly where our resources are most needed.”

Robert Teal is standing as the Liberal Democrat candidate. He is a businessman from Barnsley who works in the retail sector and is also a magistrate. Mr Teal said he aimed to cut down on waste and to direct funds towards front-line services. He also wants to give local people a greater voice in how their police service is run.

Shaun Wright, the Labour candidate, has been a councillor for 12 years and also been a workplace shop steward. He is a former vice chair of South Yorkshire Police Authority, a magistrate, a school governor and a trustee of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust. Mr Wright said he wanted resources concentrated at the “sharp end” rather than “costly and often unnecessary red tape” with a focus on local neighbourhood policing.