LABOUR’S candidate in the Cheshire police and crime commissioner (PCC) election has confirmed his priorities as he vows to make the county safer.

Former Warrington borough councillor Dan Price is aiming to secure victory in the election on May 2.

Mr Price has confirmed his priorities in the role, if he is elected.

He said: “With more police, we’ll deliver faster response times.

“By focussing on prevention in schools, young and vulnerable people won’t become tomorrow’s criminals.

“Through community led policing plans, neighbourhoods will define local priorities.

“By learning from victims, we’ll understand our failures and drive up the charge rate.

“Through reform and modernisation, we’ll be one step ahead of criminals, taking back our streets.”

Furthermore, Mr Price says since 2012 the Constabulary is now dealing with over 50 per cent more recorded crimes per year, adding that nationally the charge rate has fallen to 5.5 per cent.

He said: “Under the Tories, too often a crime is committed and nothing is done.

“Through more police and my committed to create a victims of crime board, I’ll ensure we drive up the charge rate. Making Cheshire safer.”

Furthermore, Mr Price says the role of PCC is ‘not to be a police officer’, but the public’s representative ‘holding the police to account’.

He said: “With over a decade of experience as a councillor, always bringing energy and fresh ideas to public service, I understand what it takes to represent people, their interests and deliver.

“Even with a full time job, I’m working on the campaign everyday and throughout weekends. It’s not easy, but hearing how people are being let down gives me the motivation to keep going and hopefully post May, bring about the changes our communities need.”

Mr Price also discussed what he enjoys doing away from politics.

He said: “Whenever possible, I love getting away with my husband and our dogs in our campervan that I converted. Obviously that’s never as frequent as we’d like, but that’s something I find most ‘campervanners’ have in common.”

Meanwhile, Mr Price says across the country antisocial behaviour, shoplifting and violence towards those working in retail is ‘surging’.

He said: “In Cheshire shoplifting is up 30 per cent, higher than the north west average of 13 per cent.

“It’s clear our commissioner doesn’t have a plan to fix this, but my plan for more police, and a victims of crime board will mean we drive up the charge rate, and stop criminality plaguing our high streets and businesses.”

Mr Price first joined the Labour Party in 2010, but resigned in 2019 while Jeremy Corbyn was the leader.

Mr Price said: “I rejoined in 2021, impressed by Keir Starmer’s leadership.

“He’s fixed the Labour Party, and has shown he now has a plan to fix Britain.”