The Independent candidate for North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner has said politics needs to be taken out of the role in order to improve policing.
Keith Tordoff, a former West Yorkshire police officer and local businessman, has pledged to introduce policies, such as visible policing and measures to tackle county lines, within two years if elected.
Voters will go to the polls on May 6 to elect a new commissioner. Conservative, Liberal Democrat and Labour candidates will also be standing.
Mr Tordoff, who used to own the Oldest Sweet Shop in the World in Pateley Bridge, will be standing as an independent candidate.
‘Take the politics out of the commissioner role’
Mr Tordoff has spearheaded his campaign on the pledge to take “politics out of the role” of the police, fire and crime commissioner.
He said that the role of commissioners, which were introduced in 2012 under the coalition government, had strayed from its original purpose.
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Mr Tordoff said:
“It was not meant as a political appointment. Someone from a political party always has to toe the party line.
“That is not, in my opinion, good for the people.”
If elected, he said he would bring fresh ideas and leadership to the role in order to help the chief constable and the fire service.
Mr Tordoff added that he had already sold his business, the Oldest Sweet Shop in the World, in order to avoid any conflict of interest.
He said he would also donate £20,000 of his commissioner salary to registered charities. The police, fire and crime commissioner is paid £74,400 a year.
Visible policing to tackle anti-social behaviour
Mr Tordoff said anti-social behaviour had become the “bane of people’s lives”.
The issue has blighted Ripon in recent months and police were forced to commit more resources to the city.
In February, five incidents were reported in one three-hour spree, including a robbery, thefts and reports of a man carrying a machete.
North Yorkshire Police in Ripon.
Mr Tordoff said part of the problem was down to a lack of engagement with young people.
He said:
“They start off life as good people, they are not bad. It is just because we are not working with them.”
One solution, he said, was to invest in visible policing, electric vehicles and bikes so officers can go around towns and villages and be more approachable.
He said this would help people feel safe, but also save money for the police service.
When asked why the county needed more police officers to solve issues like this, he said it was a common complaint among residents.
“Everyone I have spoken to over the past 12 months are saying they never see a police officer.
“My plan is to invest in electric infrastructure and bikes so that officers can go out and stop and speak to people.”
Lobbying government for fire funding
Mr Tordoff pledged to to lobby government for more funding for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue.
According to current commissioner, Julia Mulligan, the service is one of the worst funded in the country.
The government recently capped any precept increases for fire services to 1.99%, whereas police forces were allowed a £15 hike.
Mr Tordoff said he would take the issue to government ministers, if elected.
He said:
“It is a case that needs to be presented.
“I would put a case together to show that it is reasonable and legitimate.
“I would be working with government to justify better funding for North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue.”
The following candidates so far have announced they are standing for election as commissioner:
- Philip Allott, Conservative Party
- Alison Hume, Labour Party
- James Barker, Liberal Democrats
- Keith Tordoff, Independent
The final list of nominations will be published on April 9. The deadline to register to vote in the May elections is April 19. You can register to vote here.
