UKiP crime chief candidate pledges to keep politics out of the job

UKiP's candidate for the position of Derbyshire Police and Crime Commissioner has vowed to keep politics out of the role if he is elected in May.

Former police officer Stuart Yeowart (pictured) said that he would fight to retain officer numbers in the county and says the force has traditionally been underfunded.

He has also pledged to hold Chief Constable Mick Creedon to account and to give the general public a greater say in the running of the constabulary.

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He said: “I am pledging to keep politics away from this role, even though I am standing under UKiP, and if a point came where I felt that the party were trying to interfere with the role, I would probably resign and stand as an independent.

“The problem is that you need a significant amount of financial backing to be able to get out and speak to the extremely diverse communities within Derbyshire, and it’s really only the major parties that can bring that.

“I would also want to simplify the constabulary’s ranks structure and reduce the number of chief inspectors and chief superintendents, and keep police stations open wherever possible. This role really needs someone who has worked in the police service and understands policing, and not a career politician.”

Other policies that Mr Yeowart, who was a traffic officer for 18 years and also worked as part of the Bolsover community policing team, wants to introduce include toucher action on neighbourhood and domestic crime.

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“I want to introduce zero tolerance to incidents of anti-social behaviour and to see prosecutions taken up as a first resort,” he said.

“I also want to see all victims of assault and burglary visited by a police officer and I want to see domestic violence treated more seriously, with a supervisory officer involved from the outset.”

In terms of fighting cyber-crime, Mr Yeowart said he wanted to introduce more civilian experts who would be supervised by a senior police officer.

He also wants to see fewer officers in plain clothes, with even crime investigators wearing uniforms and driving marked vehicles, unless they are working under cover.

His other policies include:

- To genuinely consult with the people of Derbyshire

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- To increase the number of full-time and uniformed officers on the streets

- Special Constables to be used to supplement police numbers, not used as an alternative

- Explore cost savings in the purchase of equipment and vehicles

- Ensure the toughest charges are brought against anyone who assaults a police officer or other members of the Emergency Services

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- Prevent the privatisation of core policing services such as the control room and custody suite

Mr Yeowart has also pledged to keep the running costs of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office to a minimum and says that the role of Deputy PCC is not needed.