Commissioner candidates questioned: Future of fire service

In the second of a series of articles on crime issues in the Harrogate district, candidates standing to be North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner are questioned on the future of the county’s fire service.

The five candidates competing in next Thursday’s election to become the new North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner have set out their pledges to protect the future of the county’s under-funded fire service.

There have been recent warnings that the service, which serves around 824,000 people, is facing a “bleak” future due to under-funding, staffing shortages and out of date vehicles.

James Barker, Liberal Democrat

Liberal Democrat candidate James Barker, who is a York councillor, said the current situation was “not sustainable” and that this was due to the £1.8 million in annual funding cuts that the service has seen since 2016.

He said:

“The government now needs to step up and deliver the funding that is desperately needed.

“In March this year, Liberal Democrats on City of York Council proposed a motion calling on the government to undertake a comprehensive funding review of fire and police services in North Yorkshire.

“With serious flooding becoming a more common occurrence, our reliance on fire and rescue services is likely to increase, and so they must be properly funded.”

Emma Scott-Spivey, Labour

Labour’s Emma Scott-Spivey, who is a student paramedic and the daughter of two police officers, also blamed government cuts for the service’s “shocking state” which she said she would “rebuild” if elected.

She said:

“What the Conservatives have done is unforgivable.

“We must fund our emergency services properly, they should be focused on saving lives, not being sacrificed to save money.”

Zoe Metcalfe, Conservative

Harrogate Cllr Zoe Metcalfe is the Conservative candidate and defended the party’s record by highlighting how police and fire services have worked together, as she also promised to lobby the government for extra cash for services.

She said: 

“Back room blue light collaboration has worked extremely well in North Yorkshire and York, not only does it enable better intelligence sharing it maximises the resource for front line policing and fire service delivery.

“I will work closely with our Conservative MPs and lobby the government to provide more money for our fire service.”

Hannah Barham-Brown, Women’s Equality Party

Hannah Barham-Brown, who is standing for the Women’s Equality Party, said she was “astounded” by the pressure put on fire services, adding:

“As Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, I intend to hold regular meetings with the fire service and see how I can set the budget to try and match their needs.”

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Dr Barham-Brown, who works as a GP in Leeds, also said:

“As a public servant myself, I know how terrible cuts to our emergency services have been and I will lend my voice to those calling for increased funding for these lifesaving services.”

Keith Tordoff, Independent

Independent candidate Keith Tordoff, who served for 20 years at West Yorkshire Police, said he “cares deeply” about the fire service as he has family members who work in it.

Setting out his priorities, he said:

“We need to obtain a fair settlement from government and I will fight as hard as I can to make the case for the fire service.

“I would explore, working with the unions, to see if private sponsorship was feasible for equipment requirements.”

The election is being held after the previous commissioner Philip Allott quit following criticism over the comments he made on the murder of Sarah Everard.

Conservative Mr Allott faced repeated calls to stand down after saying Ms Everard should never have “submitted” to the fake arrest by the police officer who murdered her and that women needed to be more “streetwise”.

Voters will go to the polls to choose Mr Allott’s replacement on November 25, with the results set to be announced the following day.

Commissioner candidates questioned: Women’s safety

In the first of a series of articles on crime issues in the Harrogate district, candidates standing to be North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner are questioned on women’s safety.

The resignation of North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott has thrown a spotlight on the safety of women and girls.

Mr Allott quit last month after a two-week storm of sustained criticism over his comments that women needed to be more “streetwise” in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard.

And now, the five candidates competing to replace him at next Thursday’s election have had their say on how they would tackle the problem, with one promising an inquiry into misogyny at North Yorkshire Police.

Hannah Barham-Brown, Women’s Equality Party

Hannah Barham-Brown, who is standing for the Women’s Equality Party, said she would launch the probe if elected as she believes women and girls have been “let down” and “deserve better”.

She said:

“As a GP, the deputy leader of the Women’s Equality Party and as a queer, disabled woman myself, I have years of campaigning experience and a lifetime of lived experience when it comes to women’s safety and freedom.

“I am determined to deliver better for my community by launching an independent inquiry into misogyny in North Yorkshire Police, ensuring a trauma-informed and victim-led approach to investigations and implementing compulsory training for all agencies working with black and minoritised women who are victims of violence – amongst other things.”

James Barker, Liberal Democrats

There are two men in the election race – and both previously stood when Conservative Mr Allott was elected by a margin of more than 31,000 votes in May.

This includes York Liberal Democrat councillor James Barker who said the current situation for women and girls is “troubling”.

He said: 

“There were 597 rape cases recorded in North Yorkshire in the year to March 2020 of which 88% involved female victims, as did 85% of 635 sexual assaults.

“There were over 7,000 crimes flagged as domestic abuse, but there will be harassment and worse that goes unreported.”

Cllr Barker, who served in the military for 24 years, added: 

“There is much to do, but as a start I would want to increase efforts to prevent and detect violence against women and girls.

“This will include ensuring all frontline staff are trained to detect and respond appropriately to domestic abuse, sexual violence and sexual harassment.”

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Keith Tordoff, Independent

Independent candidate Keith Tordoff, who served for 20 years at West Yorkshire Police, also said women and girl’s safety was a priority and that he wanted to bring Clare’s Law more into public view.

Clare’s Law aims to prevent domestic abuse and is named after 36-year-old Clare Wood who was murdered by her ex-boyfriend in Greater Manchester in 2009.

Mr Tordoff added: 

“I want to review work already under way by the police and find things which could be done better, such as benchmarking Domestic Violence Protection Notices, Domestic Violence Protection Orders usage and using new resolution schemes like the Cautions and Relationship Abuse programme.

“I have ideas around tackling rape culture with public education, looking at a way of having independent oversight of rape and abuse decisions and investigations.

“I want to update police vetting and stop officers using WhatsApp on duty too.”

Zoe Metcalfe, Conservative

Harrogate councillor Zoe Metcalfe is the Conservative candidate and said improving safety for everyone – particularly women and girls – was at the top of her agenda.

She said it is “unacceptable” that females are subject to harassment, abuse and violence, adding:

“I will expand the support available to victims and survivors, introduce preventative measures to stop the violence happening in the first place and commission outside agencies to work with teachers in delivering healthy relationship, sex and health education.

“I will also increase the pathways to report domestic abuse and commission domestic abuse workers in A&Es.”

Emma Scott-Spivey, Labour

The final candidate is Labour’s Emma Scott-Spivey who is a student paramedic and the daughter of two police officers.

She described violence against women and girls as an “endemic” and said she would “restore trust” in the commissioner’s office if elected.

She said:

 “My first priority as commissioner would be to restore trust and rebuild our frontline – repairing the damage done by Philip Allott and making sure our emergency services have the tools they need to keep us safe.

“The culture of male violence and how politicians and public services respond to it must change urgently.

“I will appoint a senior leadership officer to drive forward the police’s response and work with women’s groups, community groups, schools and victims organisations to make women and girls safer.”

The announcement of the election results will take place on 26 November – the day after voters go to the polls.

All you need to know about next week’s police commissioner election

The countdown has begun for the election to replace former North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott.

Voting will take place on November 25 to replace Mr Allott who quit last month following a two-week storm of sustained criticism over the comments he made on the murder of Sarah Everard.

Mr Allott had only been in the job for five months having been elected in May and faced multiple calls to resign after saying Ms Everard should not have “submitted” to arrest by the police officer who murdered her and that women needed to be more “streetwise”.

There are five candidates competing for the £74,000-per-year post with women’s safety already featuring as a key part of their campaigns:

Conservative

Harrogate councillor Zoe Metcalfe is the Conservative candidate and said her focus is on “improving safety for women and girls across North Yorkshire, supporting victims of crime and tackling serious and organised crime”.

Ms Metcalfe is a project manager for a property company in addition to being a member of Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council.

Labour

Emma Scott-Spivey, who is a student paramedic and the daughter of two police officers, will contest the role for Labour.

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She said she wanted to stand in the election after hearing Mr Allott’s comments and that she would prioritise tackling violence against women and girls, as well as county lines drugs gangs.

She said: 

“The police are facing unprecedented challenges – not just from savage cuts to funding but also due to a breakdown in trust. That trust must be rebuilt and the damage done by Philip Allott must be repaired.”

Liberal Democrat

The Liberal Democrat candidate is City of York councillor James Barker who served in the military for 24 years and also stood for the commissioner role in May when he finished in fourth place.

He said: 

“There is work to do to rebuild the trust lost with victim’s groups, women’s groups and the public at large.

“If elected, my priority on day one would be starting the long process of making sure everyone can have faith that the PFCC listens to and supports victims of crime.”

Independent

Keith Tordoff, who served for 20 years in West Yorkshire Police and ran the world’s oldest sweet shop in Pateley Bridge, has also decided to stand again as an independent after finishing in third place in the last election.

He said the county had been “badly let down” by the previous commissioner and that he will “prioritise responses for crimes against women, hate crime and fight for justice for all victims of crime”.

Mr Tordoff said: 

“With my policing, business and community led background, I will work tirelessly if elected to keep the people living, working or visiting North Yorkshire safe.”

Women’s Equality Party

The final candidate is Dr Hannah Barham-Brown who will stand for the Women’s Equality Party and works as a GP in Leeds.

She said she took part in protests against Mr Allott and that she would launch an independent inquiry into misogyny at North Yorkshire Police if elected.

Dr Barham-Brown said:

 “Women and girls in North Yorkshire deserve to live their lives free from the fear and the threat of violence, and that is why I am contesting this election.

“I will not allow politicians to sit idly by while women lose their lives and freedom in the face of violence.”

The announcement of the election results will take place from Selby Civic Centre on 26 November – the day after voters go to the polls.

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How will the election work? 

Polling cards were sent out earlier this month with the deadlines to register and to vote by post having already passed, while the deadline for proxy voting is 5pm on Wednesday.

Voters are being urged to check their poll cards to see where their local polling station is as some may have changed due to the need for covid safety measures.

Anyone who has tested positive or has symptoms should not visit a polling station.

If you can not vote in-person because of covid, or because of your employment or a disability, there is an option to apply for an emergency proxy vote by 5pm on the day of the election.

Janet Waggott, election returning officer and chief executive of Selby District Council, said: 

“Covid remains an important consideration and we’re putting arrangements in place to help you stay safe at the polling station; such as hand sanitiser and face masks.

“Residents should be reassured that voting in these elections will take place in a covid-safe environment.”

Elections for commissioners use a supplementary voting system in which voters rank candidates in order of preference.

If no candidate receives a majority then all but the two leading candidates are eliminated and a second count takes place.

In the second count, the second preference votes of those supporting eliminated candidates are distributed among the two leading candidates.

In May, Philip Allott took 84,737 of the first and second-preference votes ahead of Labour candidate Alison Hume who finished in second place with a total of 53,442 votes.

The final results in terms of total votes were:

Keith Tordoff launches police commissioner campaign in Harrogate

Pateley Bridge man Keith Tordoff held a media launch in Harrogate this morning for his campaign to become the next North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Tordoff, who is standing as an Independent candidate, said he was the man to regain people’s trust after the resignation of Philip Allott.

His manifesto is based on the slogan “safer streets for all”. He said he would find ways to protect vulnerable people and increase public confidence in the police and fire services.

Mr Tordoff said he wanted officers to spend more time on foot talking to people and look at how police deal with areas of persistent anti-social behaviour.

Speaking to the Stray Ferret, he said:

“It is very important that we give people confidence that we have safer streets for all. There’s plenty we need to do to achieve this, to show we’re listening to them and doing something about it.”

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Mr Tordoff served as a police officer in Leeds for 20 years and said this set him apart from the other candidates, and would enable him to find practical ways to bring improvements.

Besides working for the police, Mr Tordoff, who has won the support of the Yorkshire Party, also has a business background having served as chairman of Nidderdale Chamber of Trade and owned the sweet shop in Pateley Bridge.

He added:

“North Yorkshire needs strong leadership that can work with everyone, that’s why I’m independent.”

Election on November 25

The commissioner’s role is to hold the county’s chief constable and chief fire officer to account.

The by-election will take place on November 25. Applications to vote by post must be submitted by 5pm on Wednesday 10th, while proxy vote applications must be entered by 5pm on Wednesday 17th.

Mr Tordoff finished third when the role was last contested in May. Turnout then was 25%.

He is standing again following the resignation of Mr Allott in the wake of comments made about the murder of Sarah Everard.

The full list of candidates is:

Hannah Barham-Brown, Women’s Equality Party

James Barker, Liberal Democrats

Zoë Metcalfe, Conservatives

Emma Scott-Spivey, Labour

Keith Tordoff, Independent

Police commissioner: Who is standing to succeed Philip Allott in North Yorkshire?

Following the resignation of Philip Allott, voters will head to the polls again in November to elect a new North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Political parties have been announcing their candidates for polling day.

An election will be held on November 25. Voters have until November 9 to register to vote.

Here are the candidates announced to contest the commissioner position.

Conservative candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Zoe Metcalfe.

Conservative candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, Zoe Metcalfe.

Zoe Metcalfe, Conservative

Harrogate and North Yorkshire councillor, Zoe Metcalfe, will be standing for the Conservative party.

Ms Metcalfe said she “will focus on improving safety for women and girls across North Yorkshire, supporting victims of crime and tackling serious and organised crime”.

She said:

“I am delighted to be selected as the Conservative Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner candidate for North Yorkshire.

“I am passionate about making our communities and societies safe, especially for women and girls, on the streets and at home, day and night.

“People living and working across North Yorkshire want to feel safe and have full confidence in their police and fire services.

“I can assure people I will stop at nothing to ensure both services are the best they can possibly be for the benefit of everyone across the county.”

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Emma Scott-Spivey, Labour candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Emma Scott-Spivey, Labour candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Emma Scott-Spivey, Labour

23-year-old Emma Scott-Spivey, who was born and went to school in Harrogate, will contest the role for Labour.

Ms Scott-Spivey said she would prioritise tackling violence against women and girls, as well as county lines drugs gangs and crackdown on crime against the elderly, if elected as commissioner.

She said:

“The police are facing unprecedented challenges – not just from savage cuts to funding but also due to a breakdown in trust. That trust must be rebuilt and the damage done by Phillip Allott must be repaired.

“People in North Yorkshire need a commissioner who recognises their concerns and works to address them. One who puts local people above party politics.

“And our police and fire services must have a commissioner who they can trust, who understands the sacrifices they make every day and the pressures the face. They need a commissioner who will fight to make sure they have the resources they need to keep us safe.”

James Barker, Liberal Democrat candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

James Barker, Liberal Democrat candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

James Barker, Liberal Democrats

City of York councillor, James Barker, has put himself forward for the commissioner’s office.

Mr Barker, who served in the military for 24 years, also stood for the role in May.

At the last election, he told the Stray Ferret that he wanted to “explore why” more officers were not on the frontline and pledged to tackle anti-social behaviour in Ripon.

Mr Barker said:

“We are England’s largest county but not everyone is truly represented. How often do you see a copper?

“I want to explore reasons why we cannot get more coppers on the streets. I want to try and release more to the frontline.”

Keith Tordoff, who will be standing as an independent candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Keith Tordoff, who will be standing as an independent candidate for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Keith Tordoff, Independent

Keith Tordoff, the former Pateley Bridge businessman, has decided to stand again for the commissioner’s office.

Mr Tordoff said the commissioner’s role needed to be “somebody who is not affiliated to a political party”.

He added that he would also tackle anti-social behaviour and make police officers more visible in communities.

He said:

“It needs strong leadership and it needs somebody with experience.

“I have got police experience and business experience.”

Dr Hannah Barham-Brown the Women’s Equality Party candidate.

Dr Hannah Barham-Brown, Women’s Equality Party

Dr Hannah Barham-Brown has said that if she is elected her first step would be to launch an independent inquiry into misogyny and sexism in North Yorkshire Police.

Mandu Reid, leader of the Women’s Equality Party, has said that ending gender-based violence “must be at the heart of this election”.

Dr Barham-Brown is well-known for her campaigning work on both women’s and disabled people’s rights. She said:

“Women and girls in North Yorkshire deserve to live their lives free from the fear and the threat of violence, and that is why I am contesting this election.

“We were let down by Philip Allott as our PFCC who proved he didn’t understand the importance of ending violence against women and girls with his disgraceful, victim blaming comments.

“But our community did not accept that and now it’s time to finish the job.”

 

 

Former Pateley Bridge businessman to stand again for police commissioner

Former Pateley Bridge businessman Keith Tordoff has announced he will stand again for North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Tordoff, who used to own the Oldest Sweet Shop in the World in the town, said he was standing in the November election because he felt the commissioner’s office was in “a state of shambles”.

Mr Tordoff stood for the role in May and received 22,338 votes.

An election is being held following the resignation of Philip Allott, who stepped down after comments he made on the murder of Sarah Everard led to hundreds of complaints to his office and a vote of no confidence in him.

Mr Tordoff, who will stand as an independent candidate, said the commissioner needed to be “somebody who is not affiliated to a political party”.

He said:

“It needs strong leadership and it needs somebody with experience.

“I have got police experience and business experience.”

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When asked how he would tackle violence against women and girls, Mr Tordoff said he had an “understanding of working with victims” as a former police officer.

He said:

“I have a background in the police, I have the understanding.

“My position has the most experience.”

Mr Tordoff said his pledges from May remained in place. They included tackling anti-social behaviour, making police more visible and freeing up officers to go out into the community.

He also reiterated his pledge to donate £20,000 of his commissioner salary to registered charities. The police, fire and crime commissioner is paid £74,400 a year.

Voters will head to the polls to elect a new police commissioner on November 25.

The Conservatives have announced Harrogate councillor, Zoe Metcalfe, will stand for the party on polling day.

Meanwhile, Labour have confirmed that 23-year-old student paramedic, Emma Scott-Spivey, will contest the election.

Independent crime candidate: Commissioner’s role ‘should not be political’

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.

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:

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.

Knaresborough man buys famous Pateley Bridge sweet shop

A 24-year-old man who grew up in Knaresborough has taken over one of the Harrogate district’s most famous businesses.

Ben Howie has bought the Oldest Sweet Shop in the World in Pateley Bridge from Keith Tordoff, who owned the business for about 25 years.

It has been trading continuously since 1827 and is recognised by Guinness World Records as the world’s oldest sweet shop.

Mr Tordoff is standing as an independent candidate in North Yorkshire’s Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner elections in May.

He described Mr Howie as “the most capable young man I have known” and said he was sure he would preserve the shop’s traditions while developing new opportunities. Mr Tordoff said:

“He loves the history and heritage but, being younger, sees opportunities to develop in areas such as mail order.”

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Mr Howie, who was born in Ireland but grew up in Knaresborough, previously worked for a large corporate company but said:

“I was only seeing one aspect of the business and taking on my own business means covering all aspects, which appeals much more.

“The shop is an icon. I want to keep it just as it is because it is a living museum while growing the brand.”