RESIDENTS in North Wales will today (Thursday) vote to choose North Wales Police’s next Police and Crime Commissioner. We asked the five candidates to tell you in 200 words why you should vote for them.

Arfon Jones Plaid Cymru

I am standing for Police and Crime Commissioner because I believe that with reduced resources we need to do things differently and in a way that better targets resources towards real problems.

I don’t want to ‘break the cycle of crime’ I want to stop it from becoming a cycle in the first place by properly funding the Youth Justice Service.

If we can stop criminalising children we save the children, their families and our communities from decades of heartache not to mention a lifetime of providing services.

Secondly, I want to seriously get to grip with domestic violence which causes so much harm, the fact that seven women are killed by partners or ex-partners every month in England and Wales demonstrates the extent of the problem; and that is why I have promised to equip every front line officer with Body Worn Videos to increase arrests and convictions for domestic violence.

Finally I want to see all the people of north Wales receive the same level of service, which I don’t think the people of Dwyfor Meirionnydd get at the moment.

Dolgellau Police Station should retain its 24/7 designated custody status, taking arrestees from Meirionnydd to Caernarfon is both wasteful and inefficient.

Julian Sandham Independent

For over two years, I was the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner and this, combined with my previous experience as a Divisional Commander and Head of Criminal Justice qualifies me for the position.

Due to my experience, I am the person best placed to hold the Chief Constable to account and to support the work of the police to ensure effectiveness for the people of North Wales.

I have a track record of delivery. The recent achievement I am most proud of was leading the work which culminated in the setting up of the North Wales Victim Help Centre.

I began my police career on the beat in Bangor. I was a police officer in North Wales for over 33 years, the last nine of which were as a Chief Superintendent.

I am not a member of a political party. If elected, I will represent you independent of party politics. I have no other allegiances – I will put the people of north Wales first every time.

I will maintain a modern policing service, protect and help vulnerable people, prioritise neighbourhood policing, encourage effective partnerships and listen to what people tell me and act upon their concerns.

David Taylor Labour

I’m putting myself forward because north Wales needs a new crime plan and a Commissioner who supports officers on the frontline but is not part of the establishment.

I am honest about my politics and honest about the direction I will bring to the role:

I’ll do everything I can to keep policing visible and bring back the local bobby. More police and PCSOs on the streets make people feel safe and deter crime.

Drugs are a huge problem in many of our towns and the A55 is being used for trafficking. I want the police to get tough on dealers who are blighting communities.

Failures of different agencies to share information has meant missed opportunities to protect vulnerable people in North Wales. I’ll introduce better training and work more closely with others to identify victims earlier.

I’ll crack down on criminals who prey on older people – whether door-to-door, on the phone or online – and I’ll create a North Wales Cyber School to help younger people guard against being exploited online.

I’ll work with Community Speed Watch groups to improve road safety and I’ll review how cameras are used to best effect – I want to end the perception of unfairness in how speed controls are enforced.

I’ll make services more accessible.

Simon Wall UKIP

I am Simon Wall, I was born in Bangor and raised on Anglesey.

I feel privileged to live and work in north Wales. I have been married to my wife for over 21 years and we have six children.

I attended Bishop Grosseteste University Lincoln and trained as a teacher and received my postgraduate qualification (PGCE) through Nottingham Trent University. I taught in a residential unit before switching careers to become a police officer.

I returned to education and training, setting up my own training consultancy and worked in colleges, business training departments, the corporate sector as well as welfare to work and a range of other sectors.

Having seen the very best and the very worst of police culture I realise that if ‘policing by consent’ is to be preserved here in the UK, things must radically change.

Public image and public trust in our police are paramount and, therefore, I believe in a zero tolerance approach to dishonesty and corruption which seriously undermine the image and status of the many honest, professional and hardworking police officers and the police service.

I care passionately about our community and I firmly believe we need the police service more than ever. I would work to ensure that the people of north Wales have a police force that acts as public servants but command respect through professionalism, respect, integrity and absolute honesty through all ranks.

A vote for UKIP is a vote to restore policing by consent of the people of north Wales.

Matt Wright Conservative

The Police and Crime Commissioner role is not about appointing another policeman to oversee the police. We already have a Chief Constable. This role is about electing a public representative to champion public priorities for policing within tight budgets.

My skills in scrutiny and engagement and ability to bring a fresh management eye to organisations will be a huge asset to the role, independent of the Police.

I have been on the board of directors of a number of public and private organisations in North Wales.

My 5-Point Plan :

•Safer communities – more visible frontline officers on the beat, less bureaucracy and special constables for every town and village that wants one.

•Safety partnerships – prioritise agencies working together effectively and making wise use of joint resources.

•Safer homes and businesses – invest in technology and education to reduce danger online and tackle fraud and business crime.

•Support for victims – increased support for victims to help them rebuild their lives and ensure offenders right their wrongs, including drug and mental health issues.

•National Security – with Holyhead port and major transport links I will ensure robust security and joint working on terrorism and international crime.