[Scarlett.]

On Thursday 15 November 2012 new elections are taking place in England and Wales (excluding London).

On this date you will be asked to choose a Police and Crime Commissioner for your local police force.

Who is standing for election?

The elections will happen in 41 police force areas in England and Wales (excluding London). To find out who is standing for election in your area and see information from candidates, visit www.choosemypcc.org.uk. Or you can call 0800 1 07 07 08 to order printed information about your candidates.

Voting system

For this election you can vote for a first and second choice of who you want to win. Victor can show you how.

Youtube video

The video is owned by the Electoral Commission and may be shared by others only in its entirety and without amends or manipulation. Use only the embed code provided for the full version of the video – this video must not be shared in part.

For more information on the voting system in these elections visit our voting system page.

Role of PCCs

The Police and Crime Commissioner will be responsible for holding the Chief Constable and police force to account on the public's behalf. The Police and Crime Commissioner will oversee how crime is tackled in their area and aim to make sure the police are providing a good service.

The Police and Crime Commissioner role includes:

meeting the public regularly to listen to their views on policing
producing a police and crime plan setting out local policing priorities
deciding how the budget will be spent
appointing Chief Constables and dismissing them if needed.

Information booklet

In late October, every household in England and Wales (excluding London) will receive a booklet explaining more about these elections and how to fill in your ballot paper. You can also download the information booklet here. or visit our Information booklet page.

Information booklet – Alternative formats and translations

Alternative formats and translations can be found on our Information booklet page.

Register to vote

You must be registered in order to vote. The registration deadline for these elections is 31 October 2012.

More info and links here

[Vicky.]

We got our polling cards a few days ago, no idea what any of its about and if its even worth bothering. Generally with anything like this alll the candidates are the same

[Scarlett.]

Maybe, it's a good idea though I think, since we will be able to hold people responsible for local police failings, I'll vote if I can find out enough info about who's up for election, lol

[Omah]

Dunno, as yet - the choosemypcc website is still awaiting candidates (due on 26th) .....

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by Omah

Dunno, as yet - the choosemypcc website is still awaiting candidates (due on 26th) .....

Haha yeah, that's quite annoying

[Kizzy]

I don't agree with politicians being in charge of the police.
Police authorities were independently selected, this just takes more power away from the public.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Chewy

Maybe, it's a good idea though I think, since we will be able to hold people responsible for local police failings, I'll vote if I can find out enough info about who's up for election, lol

Call electoral services at your local council Chewy. Nominations closed last Friday, so all the candidates will be registered now. There's a good choice of people generally, with lots of independents standing as well as reps of political parties.

[Scarlett.]

Originally Posted by Livia

Call electoral services at your local council Chewy. Nominations closed last Friday, so all the candidates will be registered now. There's a good choice of people generally, with lots of independents standing as well as reps of political parties.

Wont they be on that website by tommorow though? I'm glad it sounds like there is a good amount of people standing too

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Chewy

Wont they be on that website by tommorow though? I'm glad it sounds like there is a good amount of people standing too

I guess... The whole thing has been a little bit low key so far. None of the political parties seem putting very much effort or cash into the campaign and up until now information has been quite sparse. It's a shame more effort hasn't been put into it, I think having a Police and Crime Commissioner is a good thing.

[billy123]

If Batman doesnt win im going to be pissed off.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by bobnot

If Batman doesnt win im going to be pissed off.

LOL... My Candidate was very disappointed when he found out he didn't get a Bat Signal.

[Kizzy]

I wonder if any of the candidates have a background in policing? Or something to show they have an indepth knowledge of the issues relating to the communities they serve?
Eagerly awaits conformation...

[Shaun]

We all got pollcards the other day... wasn't even aware anyone (other than the university) knew I was living here. Quite strange.

[Harry!]

Since I am over 18 on the 15th November this will be my first ever legal vote!

[Livia]

Has anyone voted yet?

[Kate!]

I'm keen to vote in this, the system needs a good kick in the arse (I do realise there is no guarantee of getting one, but they need to be answerable)

I've suffered intense anti social behaviour and have never felt supported to be honest. Even my MP was a load of bollocks.

[Kizzy]

Not as yet, will though. I recieved no booklet in the mail as we were promised ..

[Shaun]

Going to vote now

[Livia]

Originally Posted by *Kate*

I'm keen to vote in this, the system needs a good kick in the arse (I do realise there is no guarantee of getting one, but they need to be answerable)

I've suffered intense anti social behaviour and have never felt supported to be honest. Even my MP was a load of bollocks.

Yeah, unfortunately - and quite sadly - quite a few of 'em are a load of bollocks.

[Shaun]

There's only four candidates here - a lib dem, a tory, a labour and an independent. Independent it is

[Livia]

Six candidates here... and as they're using the Single Transferable Vote, the count is going to be long and bloody awkward.

[Alf]

john prescott's a candidate in my area

[Livia]

Originally Posted by wannashag

john prescott's a candidate in my area

I thought you were kidding till I Googled it! An unlikely candidate, I would have thought.

[Harry!]

I did vote, we had 7 candidates for my area!

[MTVN]

I kinda worry that the whole thing is more about party politics than effective policing, if I'd voted it would have been for an Independent rather than a representative of a party who was just expected to direct the police along party lines