Today, Thursday 2 May, voters across Rutland are heading to the polling stations to choose their new Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for the Leicestershire policing area.

The Leicestershire Police area includes Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland and has been under the leadership of Rupert Matthews since 2021, when the conservative PCC was elected.

The role of the Police and Crime Commissioner is to be the voice of the people and hold the police to account. They are responsible for the totality of policing.

PCCs aim to cut crime and deliver an effective and efficient police service within their police force area. They are elected by the public to hold Chief Constables and the force to account, making the police answerable to the communities they serve.

PCCs ensure community needs are met as effectively as possible and are improving local relationships through building confidence and restoring trust. They work in partnership across a range of agencies at local and national level to ensure there is a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime.

Under the terms of the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011, PCCs must:

• secure efficient and effective police for their area
• appoint the Chief Constable, hold them to account for running the force, and if necessary, dismiss them
• set the police and crime objectives for their area through a police and crime plan
• set the force budget and determine the precept
• contribute to the national and international policing capabilities set out by the Home Secretary
• bring together community safety and criminal justice partners, to make sure local priorities are joined up

Candidates for the Police and Crime Commissioner elections. Image credit: Nub News.

This year's candidates are:

• Fizza Askari - One Leicester
• Asaiya Bora - Green Party
• Rupert Oliver Matthews - Conservative
• Rory Palmer - Labour
• Ian Robert Sharpe - Liberal Democrat

Polling stations in Rutland can be found on the Rutland County Council website.

Polling stations are open until 10pm, when counting will begin.