In the fifth 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 how they will restore confidence. 

When former North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner Philip Allott sparked outrage over his comments on the murder of Sarah Everard, he did not only damage public trust, but also the trust of his own staff.

In a letter, colleagues said their work was “undermined” by Mr Allott’s remarks that women needed to be “streetwise” about arrest powers which were falsely used by the police officer who murdered Ms Everard.

Now, the five candidates competing to replace Mr Allott at Thursday’s election have set out what they would do to try restore that confidence.

Hannah Barham-Brown, Women’s Equality Party

Hannah Barham-Brown said:

“Like many I was shocked and outraged by Phillip Allott’s comments and I’m glad he recognised that his position was untenable.

“Restoring trust and confidence in the commissioner’s office, and ensuring that ending violence against women and girls is a political and policing priority in North Yorkshire, is exactly why I am contesting the post.

“I am unapologetic in my commitment to tackling violence and intend to transform policing priorities to ensure the needs and concerns of everyone – but especially the most marginalised – are at the centre of my work.”

Zoe Metcalfe, Conservative

Harrogate councillor Zoe Metcalfe is the third Conservative hoping to take on the £74,00-a-year commissioner role which was created in 2012.

She said she would restore confidence by “being visible, transparent and open, working alongside our excellent police officers and firefighters”.

Councillor Metcalfe, who is also a project manager for a property company, also made a pledge to “make sure resident’s priorities are put in place to make our streets safer for everyone”.

Emma Scott-Spivey, Labour

Emma Scott-Spivey said a “fresh approach” to overseeing police and fire services is needed following Mr Allott’s resignation last month.

She also said she would volunteer herself to be open to recall powers which exist for MPs, but not for commissioners.

She said:

“I will be guided by what victims say, what the public says and what professionals on the frontline say. I won’t dodge tough conversations or hide from difficult issues or decisions.

“I will be open, accessible and transparent. And I will make sure our police and fire services take the same approach.

“That fresh approach includes donating 20% of the salary to local causes.”

Read more:

• Commissioner candidates questioned: Tackling inequality
• Commissioner candidates questioned: Women’s safety
• Commissioner candidates questioned: how to stop speeding

Keith Tordoff, Independent

Keith Tordoff stood in the previous election in May when Mr Allott won by a margin of more than 31,000 votes.

Mr Tordoff, who finished in third place and previously served for 20 years at West Yorkshire Police, said a key part of his election campaign and a way of restoring confidence is to “keep politics out of the police and fire services”.

He said:

“This is what I stand for. “I’m not in thrall to the vested interests of a political party and people know this. The Tory party gave you their best candidate just six months ago, look how that turned out. ”

James Barker, Liberal Democrat

Liberal Democrat James Barker also stood in the last election, finishing in fourth place. He said there is “much work to do to rebuild trust” in the commissioner’s office.

He said:

“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.

“When determining priorities for police and fire services in North Yorkshire, I would seek input from residents and staff to ensure that the police and crime plan for North Yorkshire is genuinely reflective of the needs and concerns of our communities.”

Voters will go to the polls on Thursday, November 25 with the results set to be announced the following day.

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.

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.”

Read more:

• Former Pateley Bridge businessman to stand again for police commissioner
• Labour announces North Yorkshire police commissioner candidate
• Conservatives select Harrogate councillor as police commissioner candidate

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 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, 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.”

A staff member from the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner is set to be appointed interim head of the organisation.

Jenni Newberry, head of commissioning and partnerships, will succeed Philip Allott, who resigned after his comments on the murder of Sarah Everard.

The move will be formalised at the next meeting of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Panel on November 4.

Ms Newberry is likely to be in post for just three weeks until a full-time successor is elected on November 25.

Read more:

• Conservatives select Harrogate councillor as police commissioner candidate
• Police commissioner Philip Allott resigns

So far only Conservative candidate Zoe Metcalfe and independent candidate Keith Tordoff have been nominated for the PFCC election.

Simon Dennis, chief executive of the Office of the North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner, said:

“The panel will be asked to consider a proposal that the commissioner’s office be run by Jenni Newberry as part of a team approach.

“If approved, Mrs Newberry would take up the position, working alongside myself and assistant chief executives Tom Thorp and Caroline Blackburn, until the newly elected commissioner assumes the role following their election.”

Mr Allott, who lives in Knaresborough and was elected in May, said Ms Everard should not have “submitted” to arrest by the police officer who murdered her and that women needed to be more “streetwise”.

Harrogate councillor Zoe Metcalfe has been chosen as the Conservative candidate for next month’s election to replace Philip Allott as North Yorkshire Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.

Mr Allott resigned earlier this month after comments he made on the murder of Sarah Everard led to hundreds of complaints to his office and a vote of no confidence by the county’s police and crime panel.

Mr Allott – who was elected in May – said Ms Everard should not have “submitted” to arrest by the police officer who murdered her and that women needed to be more “streetwise” about powers of arrest.

His resignation means an election to find a replacement will now take place on November 25.

Read more:

• Philip Allott’s successor to be elected on November 25
• Police commissioner Philip Allott resigns

Conservative candidate Zoe Metcalfe is a councillor on Harrogate Borough Council and North Yorkshire County Council, and also works as project manager for a property company.

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

Ms Metcalfe 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.”