COTSWOLD barrister Victoria Atkins is standing for the Conservatives and says making Gloucestershire safer and ensuring value for money from policing are her priorities.

"The police play a vital role in our society," she says. "This is the first time that Gloucestershire people will have a direct say in our county’s criminal justice system, setting policing priorities and deciding how taxpayers’ money should be spent to prevent crime.

"As a leading criminal prosecutor, I have been closely involved in dealing with some of the difficult issues that the police see each day.

"This means that I understand law and order issues, I lead teams of police officers in fighting crime and I speak up for the decent, law-abiding majority.

"An important part of my work has been my independence: as a self-employed barrister, I am used to asking searching questions of the police, telling them when they need to do better, and giving credit when it’s due.

"There will be no interference in day-to-day policing. The police will continue to be directed by the chief constable.

"I will listen to what you want from our police force and, with the chief constable, harness the professional skills of our officers and PCSOs to deliver that."

Key pledges include a Victims’ Manifesto, which aims to make the legal process better for victims and a Rural Crime Manifesto, to improve police visibility in villages.

"I see the role of Gloucestershire’s Police and Crime Commissioner as 'a local job on the national stage'," Victoria adds.

"I want Gloucestershire to lead the way in fighting crime. Our police force has done some good work in tackling serious, organised crime; I want this to continue, dealing with issues that affect people’s daily lives."