Last Friday, Stephen Metcalfe, local MP for South Basildon and East Thurrock, visited the Basildon Pensioners Association along with Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) candidate Nick Alston to discuss the upcoming PCC elections.
The meeting provided a lively forum for local pensioners to quiz Mr Metcalfe and Mr Alston about crime in Basildon and the wider Essex region. The pensioners were also able to hear from Mr Alston about policies that he intends to implement should he be successful in the upcoming elections.
Elections for the news post will be held across Essex on 15 November 2012 and will have a revolutionary affect on local policing. The new PCC will set the policing budget, set the amount local people pay towards policing in their council tax, and write the local crime plan for the region.
Commenting, Stephen Metcalfe said: “I always enjoy visiting Basildon Pensioners Association and I was delighted to have the opportunity along with Essex candidate Nick Alston, to be able to discuss the upcoming PCC elections with local residents.”
“Few things are more important than the security of our communities and the safety of our families. PCCs will reconnect local policing priorities with local people’s concerns so it is vital that Mr Alston has opportunities such as this to hear the views of local residents.”
“We will soon have an important new local figure in the PCC who will lead the local effort to cut crime and make Essex safer. I am wholeheartedly backing our excellent Conservative candidate Nick Alston and I believe he will be a strong local voice fighting to cut crime in Essex.”
