Warwick candidate is youngest in PCC election campaign

A Warwick campaigner has joined the running to take the role of Warwickshire's police commissioner this May - as the youngest candidate so far.
Ben TwomeyBen Twomey
Ben Twomey

Ben Twomey, who lives in Warwick, is hoping to engage young people to get involved and focus on crime prevention if he is successful as an independent candidate in the county polls in May.

The 22-year-old worked for the county’s current PCC Ron Ball as a support officer for more than a year, resigning at Christmas in order to pursue the PCC position. The University of York graduate also worked with Durham’s PCC for four months.

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He was the lead for drug and alcohol policy, organised crime, youth engagement, ICT and emergency services collaboration.

Ben, who grew up in Rugby said: “Democracy can only work when the people are given a real choice between candidates.

“I intend to bring a new perspective to the debate on crime, and as an independent candidate can make a clear promise that I will do all in my power to keep party-politics out of policing.

“For too long politicians have been hung up on the need for more police officers. What we really need is fewer criminals.

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“Prevention of crime will be my top priority – if we can break the cycle of reoffending and stop young people from going down the wrong path, we will secure our safety well into the future.

“We need to be forward-thinking and tackle crime at its source. This is the only way to effectively reduce the number of victims in Warwickshire, and yet it is routinely ignored by those in power.”

Ben is eager to increase the number of people voting from just 15 per cent in 2012 - the lowest election turnout in British peacetime history.

He said: “It is time for a fresh approach. We must reclaim our right to a say in the policing of our county.

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“There are policy areas that need refocusing, like drugs and alcohol, and those that need prioritising, like cyber-crime and domestic abuse.

“Having worked for two police and crime commissioners I understand the opportunities and limitations of the role more than most.

“If I get elected in May, I will hit the ground running, and get straight to work on making our county a safer place.”

Find out more on Ben’s proposals at www.ben-twomey.co.uk

The vote in May will elect the second commissioner, who will sit for four years and be responsible for “the totality of policing” in the county.

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Standing commissioner, Ron Ball will not seek re-election to the post and the election will take place across Warwickshire on May 5.

The other two candidates standing for election to date are independent, David Whitehouse, and Conservative, Philip Seccombe.

Mr Whitehouse is a former Warwickshire Police officer who wants to address financial pressures and hold the force to account if elected in May.

Mr Seccombe said his top priority if elected would be to increase the number of special constables in the force.