A row has blown up between police commissioner candidates after the Tory hopeful claimed some traveller encampments in the county were “no-go areas” for police officers.
Adam Simmonds said Northamptonshire Police needed to do more to fight rural crime and claimed, if elected, he would make sure travellers’ sites were more accessible for officers.
His remarks, made at a public debate, were seized upon by one member of the 20-strong audience, as well as Jim MacArthur, the UKIP candidate, who said he was wrong to question the bravery of officers.
A former special constable, Mr MacArthur said Mr Simmonds should be “ashamed of himself” for saying police were “too scared” to deal with problems involving travellers.
However, Mr Simmonds said his comments were based on his strategic experiences of dealing with the force and travellers while he worked at Northamptonshire County Council. He said he was not questioning the bravery of officers.
The row erupted at a hustings on Monday, organised by the National Farmers’ Union. The debate, at the Hunsbury Hill Centre, saw the candidates quizzed on a range of issues, including flygrazing, hare coursing and the right to defend your own property.
During the event Mr Simmonds called for a “rural crime policing strategy”, while John Norrie, independent, said as PCC he would highlight rural issues. Asked about hare coursing, Mr Norrie said: “We would have ongoing dialogue with communities and bring these issues to the attention, not only to the police but also to other partners who work with them.”
Questioned on the theft of agricultural vehicles and diesel, Paul Varnsverry (Lib Dem) added: “We need to have a faster response to these types of crime. It means more resources being put into rural crime.”
Lee Barron (Labour) added: “It is about building up a policing plan. We need to join this stuff up to make sure the approach we take is strategic. If that means we take advice from other counties, then so be it.”
In the next hustings, held at All Saints Church, on Wednesday, candidates were asked about their religious beliefs and their “moral compass”.
Mr MacArthur said: “I consider truth and honesty and loyalty and I do think despite my lack of Christian faith that I do have a very high moral compass.”
Next to answer was My Varnsverry, who said: “What makes me tick it routing out unfairness and inequality. That’s what makes me tick and that’s what drives me.”
Answering the same question, Mr Barron said “solidarity, equality and social justice” were among his driving principals.
Mr Simmonds said: “My values are definitely around public service. I want to make a contribution which is bigger than I made so far and I want to try and put right some of the things that are broken in our society.”
Answering the same question, Mr Norrie added: “I would say I have a very strong set of values, certainly around injustice and violence against women.”
The next hustings will be held on Thursday at the University of Northampton.
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