HAMPSHIRE’S serving Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Simon Hayes is standing for re-election.

Mr Hayes announced he will be fighting for a second term ahead of election being held on Thursday, May 6.

Mr Hayes was elected as an independent candidate as the PCC for Hampshire and the Isle of Wight in 2012 and is among the first generation of PCC’s to hold the post after the then coalition Government then rolled them out across the country.

Now he has said he is “proud” of his achievements so far as he reflects back on his term.

Mr Hayes said: “Whether we live in an urban or rural community, policing is important to us all. I believe it’s also important to keep politics out of policing and I’m proud of my achievements since being elected in 2012.

“Whether we live in an urban or rural community, policing is important to us all. I believe it’s also important to keep politics out of policing and I’m proud of my achievements since being elected in 2012.

“For these reasons, I’m again standing for re-election as Police and Crime Commissioner for Hampshire and Isle of Wight, as an Independent non-party political candidate. I strongly believe your police and Crime Commissioner must be free from the influence of Political masters in Westminster.

“I believe in community cohesion, co-operation and consultation as the way to bring a safer, more responsible crime free society. Since being elected in 2012, I’ve created strong partnerships with Councils, Community Groups and Charities to bring social change to our communities, particularly to support young people away from offending; it’s pleasing we’re beginning now to see levels of Anti-Social behaviour and re-offending reduce.

“I’ve protected Neighbourhood Policing, where other areas of the Country have not. I’ve supported victims of crime in a way that has never happened before, and most importantly worked with young people to prevent crime happening.”

He has also set up an award-winning Youth Community Court to help prevent young people from reoffending and a Youth Commission for young people to voice their views.

He has also established Police Cadet Forces across Hampshire and the Island and has set up support for victims of domestic and sexual violence.

Her Majesty’s Inspector of Constabulary has also classed the force’s financial planning for the future as “outstanding while HMIC has ruled that the force is good at preventing crime, anti-social behaviour and working effectively to reduce reoffending.”

Mr Hayes said: “For me the role of PCC is not just about governance of the Constabulary. It is, and most importantly, about co-ordinating community responsibility to bring about social change, working with others to prevent crime, reduce re-offending, support victims and protect the vulnerable.”

“If re-elected as your Police & Crime Commissioner, I will build on my successes since 2012 and tackle the new challenges faced by policing in modern times, with a focus on young people, the vulnerable, businesses, cyber crime and early prevention”.