Locals will take to the polls tomorrow (May 2) to decide who will be the next Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Warwickshire.

Three candidates have thrown their hat into the ring - Richard Dickson (Liberal Democrats), Sarah Feeney (Labour) and Philip Seccombe (Conservative).

The election is being administered by North Warwickshire Borough Council, with polls set to open at 7am and close at 10pm.

The results will be published on Saturday (May 4).

Polling stations will be set up across the county and locals can find out where to vote here.

Voters must remember to take voter ID - a full list of eligible ID can be found here.

What is a PCC?

Commissioners are elected to oversee the work of the police on behalf of the public, appointing the chief constable for their area and setting policing budgets. 

They come up with an overarching plan featuring key priorities for the area and hold the police to account, although they do not interfere directly with individual operational matters – that is the responsibility of the chief constable who then has to answer to the PCC.

How the voting works (it’s changed)

In a change from previous PCC elections, candidates simply have to gather the most votes to win this time. 

Previously, ballots were contested under the supplementary voting system where voters could, if they chose to, indicate preference for a second-choice candidate.

Under that system, if the winner did not get 50 per cent or more of the votes then any second-choice votes from those who voted for candidates outside the top two would be added to their tallies. 

A perceived benefit of the supplementary voting system is that candidates may put together policies to appeal to a broader range of electors, particularly if the election is likely to be closely contested. 

The second-choice votes were not needed in 2021 – a ballot postponed in 2020 due to Covid – with Mr Seccombe achieving slightly more than 52 per cent of the 165,000 votes cast, but it did come into play when he first stood in 2016.

He topped the poll with 31 per cent of the vote that year, more than 6,000 votes ahead of Labour’s Julie Jackson, and added a further 2,000 to his lead when the second-choice votes were counted.

Here is what the candidates had to say....

Richard Dickson

Kenilworth town and district councillor Richard Dickson has been put forward by the Liberal Democrats.

Cllr Dickson said while there "isn't a general election" on May 2, there is "still cause for hope" - adding now is the "time to ACT".

"It's a vote to give the role more meaning," he said.

The Liberal Democrats have put forward Richard Dickson (image supplied)

"It's a vote for more:

"A. Accountability to residents about how the police help make us feel safer e.g. through more community policing. I'll not appoint a deputy commissioner, but instead invest the money in more community policing.

"C. Community engagement by the police with public sector agencies and community groups working together for community safety which is a shared responsibility.

"T. Transparency, in-person and online, about how the commissioner and the police are spending our money in a sustainable way.

"This means no more secret deals like with the Warwickshire Hunt and quarterly public reports of what the commissioner is doing."

Sarah Feeney

Labour is being represented at next week's election by Sarah Feeney, the deputy leader of the Labour group on Warwickshire County Council.

From Rugby, she says she is an "experience community campaigner" and wants to be a "visible and accessible" PCC.

"I want to restore trust in policing; making visibility and openness a guiding principle," Ms Feeney said. 

"We need our frontline officers on the street. 

Sarah Feeney is representing Labour (image supplied)

"I want to see local neighbourhood plans to tackle the crime and a police service focussed on solving crime and supporting victims. Warwickshire needs to be a place where everyone, especially women and girls, have the confidence to report crime and know action will be taken.

"As an open and available commissioner, I will listen to your problems and help find practical solutions.

"I have the right skills and empathy to succeed in this role, being an experienced manager, negotiator and community campaigner. 

"I will be your voice, holding the chief constable, making the police accountable for their actions and making sure you get the support you need."

Philip Seccombe

Having first been made PCC in 2016, Philip Seccombe is once again representing the Conservatives.

Mr Seccombe says he has "fulfilled my promises" to voters by increasing police numbers "from a low of 800 to 1,123 today".

"Many crime prevention projects have been started," he added.

"Being a victim of crime is often traumatic, and I have built vital partnerships with Victim Support, Refuge, Barnados, Safeline, and many more who support those in need.

Philip Seccombe is representing the Conservatives (image supplied)

"Visibility of the police is of great importance to us all, and this has grown with more officers out on the ground and a much improved 999 and 101 service.

"Also, the four main police stations are now open seven days a week, enabling face-to-face meetings with officers and staff.

"Looking forward to the next four years, I intend to reduce crime, anti-social behaviour, and re-offending. I promise to keep working to make the county one of the safest areas to live, work, and visit."