Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock has congratulated the Conservative PCC candidate Nick Alston for securing a victory at the elections last week, making him the first ever Police and Crime Commissioner of Essex.
Fighting off contenders from Labour, UKIP and the English Democrats, Nick Alston has become part of the biggest shake up in policing in over 50 years. His new responsibilities include appointing the chief constable for the Essex police force, setting local policing priorities, reporting annually on progress, and setting out the force budget and community safety grants.
Stephen Metcalfe MP commented: I am delighted that Nick Alston has won. He is, without a shadow of a doubt, the right man for the job and I know that he will serve Essex well. My congratulations go to all candidates for their hard fought campaigns but I am extremely pleased with the overall outcome.”
Mr Alston, who has lived in Essex all of his life has, has a long and impressive record in public safety and security. After being commissioned as an officer in the Royal Navy, he served this country for almost 30 years in operational defence and security work. During this time he worked with police officers of all seniority across the UK and overseas. He now wants to use this experience to help steer Essex police through the changes they are facing and to bring policing closer to all whom live and work in Essex.
Among his priorities are meeting the specific needs of local communities, championing local initiatives between the police, local councils and voluntary sector and ensuring that the police respond quickly and professionally whenever they are needed by the public.
Nick has also pledged to visit all 14 major towns in Essex twice a year to ensure that he is both visible and accessible to local communities. Stephen Metcalfe MP has extended an invitation to Mr Alston to make visiting Basildon and Thurrock a top priority.
Mr Metcalfe added: “I very much look forward to welcoming Nick to Basildon and Thurrock to meet my constituents. I am delighted that the public will at last have a voice in policing and I look forward to working with Nick in the future to ensure that crime in my constituency is falling.”
