THREE candidates will contest the election for Devon and Cornwall’s new police and crime commissioner.

Voters in the two counties will go to the polls on Thursday 2 May to choose their new commissioner, who will oversee every aspect of the work of the police force.

Current commissioner Alison Hernandez is standing for election again, representing ‘The Conservative Party – More Police, Safer Streets’. 

Her opponents are Steve Lodge (Liberal Democrats – For a Fair Deal) and Daniel Steel (Labour and Co-operative Party).

Ms Hernandez has held the post since 2016 and was re-elected in 2021.

The government says the role of the 39 PCCs across England and Wales is to make sure local police meet the needs of the community. 

Commissioners are elected by the public to hold chief constables and the police force to account on their behalf.

Their functions include setting and monitoring budgets, appointing chief constables, engaging with crime victims and working closely with local communities.