It is now less than one month until people in Hertfordshire will be able to vote in the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election.

We have spoken to all candidates, and below is an interview with the Labour candidate Kerry Pollard.

For a guide on everything you need to know about the upcoming elections, and for interviews with the other candidates, click here. 

Name: Kerry Pollard JP

Age: 71

Address: St Albans

Occupation: PR Consultant

What qualifies you for the role?

Former MP, district and county councillor, member of police authority, chair of police authority personnel committee, magistrate, over 35 years service in a voluntary capacity for my locals community, founded open door night Shelter and still a trustee 20 years on, was CEO of a Housing Association, Trustee of Nacro, president of Birnbeck Housing Association.

What do you see as the policing priorities in Watford and south west Hertfordshire

More Police on our streets, no more police station closures, concentration on cyber crime, build a police service that embraces diversity, ensure that our police officers and support staff feel and are valued.

Would you pledge to keep Watford police station open?

Unlike St Albans where we no longer have a police station I would stop any further police station closures including Watford.

Do you think enough is being done to combat child exploitation in the county?

I chair a special school governing body where I see on a daily basis young people who have and are being exploited in one way or another, we do not resource these schools as we should thus restricting massively the life chances of these young people.

How would you ensure there are enough police officers on the streets?

Recruit more officers and PCSOs after an assessment of local requirements

How would you pay for this?

Economies at PCC office – no deputy for example and streamline the PCC team, reverse the cut that was made in precept collected by the county council.

Do you think the role of PCC is relevant given the turnout at the last election?

My preference would be for the original concept of a police authority comprised of elected county councillors, magistrates and the business community overseeing the work of the chief constable and his staff.

Have you ever done anything illegal?

Some points on my driving licence?

Anything else you want to add?

I would work full time as our commissioner and take only the ‘Living Wage’ as my salary.