From Wales Online 14 April 2021 I am 46 years old and I live in Connah’s Quay.

Full statement

I have lived, studied and worked in North Wales my whole life. It’s my home as it is yours. With eight years’ experience of being a Flintshire County Councillor, I am proud of its achievements, especially given the financial challenges since 2010. Highlights would include the building of council houses; retaining, expending and investing further in our care homes; significant investment in education, retaining fortnightly bin collections whilst still providing key front-line services. As well as being an active and well experienced county councillor, I am also involved with a number of national Local Government associations.

I am Flintshire County Council’s Armed Forces Champion and consequently heavily involved with our Armed Forces community. I have led the Council in achieving the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) gold award. This has included adapting, reviewing and improving Council policies so that our Armed Forces veterans are not disadvantaged. The Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) encourages employers to support defence and inspire others to do the same.

I also proudly sit as North Wales Armed Forces Strategic Group’s Vice-chair. I also currently sit on the North Wales Police and Crime Panel. I have sat on the North Wales Adoption Panel which I really enjoyed. I was able to bring my experience as being a kinship carer to the fore by challenging the practicalities of policy and how they would work in practice.

Knife crime has become a huge problem on our streets - how do you think your force should approach tackling it?

There are a range of things that need to be done to tackle knife crime, and continuity will not cut it. Better engagement, further listening and taking real action is what is needed. I will make the case of investing further into the Police, local authorities and other services that prevent someone turning to a life of crime. Ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to succeed is fundamental to tackling crime across North Wales and to move Wales forward.

Has the police force in your area policed coronavirus rules well? How would you do it differently?

2020 was a year like no other. Not only for our communities in North Wales, but the whole of the UK. As a community, we stood up and supported each other through these tough times - and I think our police did their best in unprecedented times. I am a strong believer that we can all achieve so much more when we work together. As we come out of the pandemic, co-operating with others must continue.

What will your priorities be as police and crime commissioner?

Visibility in our communities would be my top priority. We all want to be safe and secure – this really matters to us. Having a more visible Police presence would reassure our communities and help towards us reclaiming the streets. I also feel that more visibility on social media platforms needs to happen and I would work collaboratively, cross-party to challenge social media companies so the Police can take further action. There has been a decade of unprecedented cuts in policing and to Welsh Government from the Conservative UK government. This is why the Welsh Labour Government’s investment in additional PCSOs has been so vital - and why I’m so pleased the Welsh Labour manifesto has a pledge to deliver 100 more. Whereas the Conservatives have said they will end the funding for this scheme - meaning a loss of 500 PCSOs from patrolling Welsh streets.

https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/politics/police-crime-commissioner-north-wales-20345595