Mark Shelford, your Conservative Police and Crime commissioner for Avon and Somerset will be seeking re-election on May 2nd.
Mark has brought huge experience to the role, having spent 32 years as an Army officer, serving all over the world in major conflicts including Kuwait and Afghanistan, often working alongside local police forces. After his final posting to the US to work with NATO he returned to his west country roots and has lived In Bath with his family for the past decade.
He continued in public service, being elected as a local councillor and serving as Deputy Leader of Bath and North Somerset council until 2019.
In 2021 Mark was elected as Police and Crime Commissioner for Avon and Somerset and in the post-Covid shortened term he has achieved a phenomenal amount:
· He appointed a new courageous Chief Constable who has dramatically changed the force, driving forward new investigating methods and improving accountability.
· 1500 new officers have been trained, delivering an increase of over 500 extra officers -deployed to neighbourhoods and CID.
· Opening new police stations in Bath and Minehead and investing in major refurbishments of the Yeovil and Trinity Road stations.
· The force is now the BEST performing constabulary in England for disrupting illegal drug activity – thanks to Operation Scorpion, launched by the five South West Conservative PCCs.
· A dedicated Rural Crime team and force wide training to be able to deal with illegal encampments, livestock and machinery theft, poaching and hare-coursing. Farmers and isolated communities are receiving the support they deserve.
· Combatting violence against women and girls – a 300% increase in rape charges reaching the courts.
· Reducing re-offending by launching the award-winning Prisoners Building Homes scheme -providing employment skills for ex-offenders to help them get a fresh start.
But Mark knows there’s much more to do.Every month he publicly challenges the Chief Constable on progress through a livestreamed Police Accountability Board.
He has successfully lobbied government for over £1m in extra funding to tackle ‘hot-spots’ in local communities – reducing anti-social behaviour and ensuring people feel safer on their streets. He remains committed to tackling shoplifting and is working with small and large businesses across the area.
He is particularly committed to protecting our young people. Many are at risk of criminal exploitation both online and in their communities. Mark is investing in education and outreach programmes to reduce knife crime and serious violence.
As the national PCC lead for cyber and economic crime, Mark has launched awareness campaigns and Avon and Somerset has seen a significant reduction in online scams and fraud through his hard work.
Vote for Mark Shelford on Thursday 2nd May for more police officers and safer streets.
Mark is the only experienced, local candidate who can be your strong voice in policing.
