THE race for Cumbria's Police and Crime Commissioner is hotting up as the May election approaches.
Labour and the Liberal Democrats have revealed their candidates, who will be standing against the Conservative incumbent Peter McCall.
The Lib Dems have backed web developer and management consultant Loraine Birchall. She also stood for the position in 2016.
Loraine said: I’m honoured to be able to take his place as the Lib Dem candidate for Cumbria’s Police and Crime Commissioner.
“For too long, Conservative Government promises of more police in Cumbria haven’t led to the officer numbers we need. As a result our local communities feel left behind, with no-one to tackle rural crime or anti-social behaviour.
“I’m determined to fight tooth and nail for Cumbria and to keep our communities safe.”
Loraine says her aims are to create more visibility community policing with a named officer for every ward, create a dedicated rural crime unit to tackle farm theft and wildlife crime, and to set up a Youth Investment Fund to help develop youth services in Cumbria.
Meanwhile, the Labour candidate is former county councillor Barbara Cannon, who believes her experience will be useful if she is elected.
PPC Candidate: Barbara Cannon has been announced as the Labour Party's candidate for PCC. Picture: The Labour Party.
She also plans to address a number of issues and concerns, including the levels of violent crime and sexual assaults.The former county councillor also wanted to look at anti-social behaviour and rural crime.
Barbara said: "One of the things I want to do is ask the chief constable to get on top of violence and sexual assaults in the county. They are the most reported crimes in Cumbria.
"I was a county councillor for 18 years and the fact of the matter is domestic violence is rising and it's never been dealt with.
"I've spent my life working in for public services and in the volunteering sector, managing budgets and working across Cumbria.
"I've spent 30 years working as an elected councillor working with budgets up to £100 million. I understand how major services operate.
"What I always say is, no matter where anybody lives, they should have the same access to services.
Attempts to contact Peter McCall for comment were unsuccessful.
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