Labour announces police commissioner candidate for Northamptonshire

Kevin McKeever will stand for the party in the election, to be held on May 5.

Stephen Mold, a councillor on South Northamptonshire District Council, will contest the post for the Conservatives.

Incumbent Adam Simmonds is to step down after three and a half years in the job.

Mr McKeever, Labour’s candidate for Northampton South at the last General Election, said: “I am honoured to have been selected to be the Labour candidate for the Northamptonshire Police and Crime Commissioner role.

“The public have had enough of vanity projects and jobs for the boys from our current police and crime commissioner.

“I’ll restore trust in the office of the commissioner by cutting costs and increasing uniformed policing presence across Northants so together we can stem the rising tide of violent crime and protect our county’s young people.

“Despite promises by the Tories to protect the frontline, Northamptonshire has lost more than 100 police officers since 2010 and cannot afford to lose any more.

“I’ll be challenging the Tory candidate on how he thinks that cutting the number of police and support officers can possibly safeguard our county and keep our communities safe.

“If I am elected in May I will commit to increasing the presence of uniformed officers right across the county, from urban to rural communities, work to stem the rising tide of violent crime in Northants and I will protect Northamptonshire’s young people from the risk of sexual exploitation.”