The chairman of the Waveney branch of UKIP has described how he will be 'a very high profile candidate' when he runs for the position of Police and Crime Commissioner in the election next May.
Simon Tobin, who was the UKIP candidate for Waveney in the general election earlier this year, has announced he will stand in the PCC election which takes place on Thursday, May 5, next year.
The Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Suffolk is encouraged to ensure the policing needs of the community are met as effectively as possible and to oversee how crime is tackled across the area.
The aim is also to cut crime and to ensure the police force is effective by engaging with the public.
Tim Passmore has held the role in Suffolk since 2012 and it is understood he will also re-run in the May election. The Labour party are currently going their nomination process with the announcement of their candidate expected at the end of January.
Mr Tobin, who lives in Southwold, has been a vice chairman of Waveney District Council.
He said: 'Suffolk Constabulary are considered an excellent police force and have been for many years.
'It is run by very capable and experienced officers who are proud to serve with the Suffolk constabulary.
'The job of the Police and Crime Commissioner is to act as a voice for the public, but also to engage and work together with the police in achieving the highest service possible within a budget.
'I will be a very high profile candidate, accessible at all times to listen to views and concerns but also supporting the police.'
Each of the 41 police forces in England and Wales- outside of London- will directly elect a commissioner who works closely with chief constables to set the direction for policing along with deciding the force budget.
Mr Tobin added: 'The police budget for Suffolk is £124m per year and it has to make cuts of £20.5m over the next five years.
'This is all well but with an ever increasing population in the UK, you can only keep cutting before there will be serious impacts on service delivery.
'Of course look at efficiency savings but never effect the core operation delivery.'
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