Police and Crime Commissioner election Q&A: Brian Jones – Welsh Conservatives candidate

Wrexham.com for people living in or visiting the Wrexham area

Wrexham.com has invited the four candidates vying for the role of North Wales’ Police and Crime Commissioner to take part in a written Question and Answer session.

On May 2 voters will head to the polls to elect a commissioner whose responsibilities include deciding the budget for North Wales Police and holding the force’s chief constable to account.

In North Wales four candidates have put themselves forward to become the region’s next PCC. These are (you can click to view their Q&A):

We contacted the four candidates with 10 questions about their plans if elected and what they feel are the biggest crime related issues facing North Wales.

You can read Welsh Conservative candidate Brian Jones’ responses in full below:

1. What are the key crime issues in North Wales that you think need addressing and plan on focusing on in your term in office if elected.

Like most areas, North Wales has its fair share of crime. Drug dealers and county lines gangs need to be targeted specifically and rooted out from our communities.

Anti-social behaviour may not seem as serious, but it is a big problem here, and it blights lives. Increasing the visibility of officers on the streets will help to crack down on this and could help foster better relations between officers and the public.

I would be a rural crime champion. Increased use of technology such as drones would help combat theft of livestock and machinery that is not only devastates people, but also local businesses.

2. There’s still a lot of confusion around what a Police and Crime Commissioner is – if elected how would you raise awareness of the role and your work across the region.

Engagement is the key to raising the profile of the Police and Crime Commissioner in North Wales and helping people to understand what the role entails.

Holding local surgeries and other face to face events would help give local people a say on how they would like their communities to be policed.

They would also give the Police and Crime Commissioner the opportunity to learn first-hand about specific local issues, providing valuable information for officers.

Setting up schemes tailored to specific areas would help foster a more positive image of the role and raise awareness.

3. Across the UK the reputation of policing has faced fierce scrutiny in the last few years and trust has decreased. Within your role as Police and Crime Commissioner how would you work to rebuild the relationship between the public and police,

As stated, engagement is the key. I would also promote an open-door policy where members of the public could air their concerns. Promoting the idea of officers working with members of the public on things like crime prevention schemes or anti-theft campaigns would also help.

High visibility policing would also promote engagement and the fostering of good community relations.

4. Retail crime has been quite topical lately with assaulting a retail worker to be made a standalone criminal offence. Where does addressing it stand in your priorities and do you have sufficient resources to tackle it.

This would be a very high priority for me. People go to work to do a job and earn money and nobody deserves to be assaulted and abused in the process.

Shoplifting is at epidemic levels, and it is costing our businesses – small and large – massive amounts of money.

The Conservatives have recently announced tough new measures – like increased tagging for repeat offenders and use of facial recognition cameras.

A specific offence created for people who attack shop workers is exactly what we need – and can lead to six months in prison or unlimited fines.

This government has also boosted police numbers, but I would push for more officers in whatever area of crime they are needed.

5. What relevant experience have you got for the role of Police and Crime Commissioner?

My life experience is definitely relevant to the role of Police and Crime Commissioner. After spending a number of years travelling around the UK and European Automotive Industry as a Sales Executive, I established my own design and manufacturing company in January 2004 in my hometown of Rhyl.

I was the Managing Director before my career change to politics in June 2015, when I was elected as member of Denbighshire County Council.

I went on to become a Cabinet Member from June 2017 until May 2022.

The skills and knowledge I picked up in business and politics are highly transferable and will provide a solid foundation for the role of North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner.

6. What are your thoughts on the 20mph policy in Wales and secondly how would you put those thoughts into action as Police and Crime Commissioner?

My thoughts on the 20mph policy in Wales is that it is wholly wrong and does not work.

It is damaging to businesses – especially in the tourism industry – and quite literally slows Wales down.

It seems Welsh Labour are finally starting to get the message though, with the new transport minister announcing some roads will revert to a default 30mph limit from September. It is a small step – but doesn’t go far enough!

7. The cost of living crisis shows little sign of improving and Council Tax and precepts from all levels have increased. How will you work to keep the policing precept as low as possible while providing value for money?

I would want to take a close look at the finances of North Wales Police in the first instance – an initial audit if you like – to ensure best practices are being followed and the public is getting real value for money.

It is to be hoped the cost of living crisis will start to ease, and that the benefits of society as a whole will reap the benefits.

8. A common criticism is a lack of ‘bobbies on the beat’ and a drop in visible policing. Is this something you would look to improve if elected as Police and Crime Commissioner and if so, how? If it’s not a priority – why isn’t it?

In my opinion, there can never be enough ‘bobbies on the beat’. People want to see officers out and about.

It makes them feel safe and it can foster better relations. The Conservatives have boosted police numbers across Wales, but I would do whatever I could to push for more where needed.

9. What are your priorities for reducing rural crime and boosting policing in rural communities across North Wales.

Increased use of technology would help combat rural crime. Drones and facial recognition cameras are two examples. All-terrain vehicles would assist officers in capturing rural criminals.

Specialist rural crime teams would be beneficial with strong links to farms and rural households. My goal would be to make the countryside a no-go area for criminals.

10. Finally, what are your views on police funding – specifically on local and national levels and how do you think policing should be funded?

The funding of the England and Wales Police Forces is a complex process and I believe there is a real need to simplify that process.

Equally the Police Forces structure and their costs need to be examined thoroughly.

External bodies are often blamed for lack of funding, but I think it is a good idea to also look at waste and inefficiency within, and then work to illuminate them.