Householders across Nottinghamshire are being encouraged to register to vote to ensure they can have their say at the forthcoming Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election.
The county will join fellow local authority areas across England and Wales on Thursday May 7 to elect the official who will be responsible for how crime is tackled in their police force area.
Residents need to be on the Electoral Register to vote and should contact their local authority to do so by Tuesday 21 April.
Completing the registration takes just minutes at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote if you’re aged 16 or over and a UK citizen or an Irish, EU or Commonwealth citizen with a permanent UK address.
If you’re a student, you can register at both your university and home address but can only vote once.
PCCs are elected by the public to hold Chief Constables and the police force to account, effectively making the police answerable to the communities they serve.
They are elected for a four-year term, and under the terms of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011 must:
- secure efficient and effective police for their area;
- appoint the Chief Constable, hold them to account for running the force, and if necessary, dismiss them;
- set the police and crime objectives for their area through a police and crime plan;
- set the force budget and determine the precept;
- contribute to the national and international policing capabilities set out by the Home Secretary; and
- bring together community safety and criminal justice partners, to make sure local priorities are joined up.
More detailed information on powers and responsibilities is also available at www.gov.uk
Details of the candidates’ election messages in Nottinghamshire will be available after April 17 at https://www.choosemypcc.org.uk/