Revealed: The candidates standing for Police and Crime Commissioner as residents hit the polls next month

The candidates for the police and crime commissioner election have been revealed.

Suffolk residents will head to the polls on May 2 to elect Suffolk’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the next four years.

At its core, the PCC is meant to be the voice of residents and ensure the police force is both effective and efficient.

Some of its duties include setting an annual budget, supported by the police’s council tax precept, scrutinising their local force’s performance and holding it to account, and commissioning services to prevent crime and help victims.

The role is politically-aligned and will see Tim Passmore, who represents the Conservatives, defend a post he has held since 2012.

The full list of candidates is as follows:

- Tim Passmore (Conservative Party)

- James Sandbach (Liberal Democrats)

- Rachel Smith-Lyte (Green Party)

- Robin Wales (Labour Party)

Each district council will be responsible for counting the ballot papers for its area, with the results being announced at West Suffolk House in Bury St Edmunds on Friday, May 3.

The elections will require photo ID and will follow a “First Past The Post” system.