Pru launches her police bid manifesto

Liberal Democrat Police Commissioner candidate Pru Jupe was joined by Cumbrian MP Tim Farron and Chair of Parliament's Justice Select Committee Sir Alan Beith MP to launch her 'no police front desk closure' pledge as part of a wider manifesto launch.

Pru's pledges to the Cumbrian public in November are clear, honest and simple:

• No cuts in police numbers
• A visible police presence in every community
• Keeping the police's share of the council tax down
• A pledge to not use private companies like G4S to do front line policing work

And a pledge to not close police front desks, last Friday the Home Secretary Theresa May said that the G4S Olympics security fiasco shouldn't discourage police forces from putting more of their services into the hands of the private sector. Pru believes that the Police should not be opened up to competition and has called on the other candidates to make the same commitment.

Pru has also committed to stopping front desk closures and to look at re-opening others that were axed by working with other public sector bodies.

Pru said:"My pledges are clear, open and honest. I am running in this election because I have the skills and expertise to make our community even safer and to cut crime. I am pledging to keep front desks open, keep your council tax low and get police into our villages and towns. This is what people have told me they want and this is what I am promising to do."

Commenting Tim said: "Pru is the best qualified person to be our first commissioner. She is the only candidate with a professional law and order background - a police station solicitor and now a barrister who focuses on helping vulnerable children and families.

"Even if Pru wasn't a Lib Dem, I'd vote for her - she is the outstanding choice to fight for our community and protect policing."

Sir Alan Beith added: "I was delighted to meet Pru and hear about her priorities. They are clear and honest - she wants the Police to be out on the beat, seen by the community and arresting criminals. I am pleased to be able to endorse Pru. She will be a fantastic police commissioner for Cumbria."