AN Army veteran has been chosen as the Conservative candidate for the next Cumbrian Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC).

Peter McCall will stand in the election in May 2016.

It comes after current PCC Richard Rhodes announced he would not be standing for re-election as he felt “driving up to 2,500 miles a month around the county at the age of 78 is not a good idea.”

Mr McCall, who lives at Hesket Newmarket, said he believed serving in the Army for the past 34 years, giving him experience “in leadership, strategic planning and public administration”, set him apart.

He said: “I grew up in Cumbria and know what an amazing place it is. If selected I would ensure people across the region are looked after by our excellent force here."

Mr McCall added that among his priorities would be to tackle issues including anti-social behaviour, domestic abuse and rural crime. He also has plans to work with young people in the region to ensure they don’t fall into crime.

He said: “I have had experience of working with the police both in UK and overseas in both rural and urban areas, and I understand the ethos and culture of serving in a uniformed public service.

“I understand the challenge to balance scarce resource with maintaining law and good order, my highest priority is keeping the people of the county safe, which for me means that they should feel safe.

“I am not afraid to take robust decisions to achieve this, but I do believe that I can take the public with me, I will not be diverted by bureaucratic inertia, am an experienced and proven team builder, I get things done.

“The key to a successful term as PCC is effective communication and working collaboratively with local authorities, councils and other local organisations including schools and the education sector.

“I am absolutely committed to take on this role and to engaging with the public to encourage local involvement in setting the Police and Crime Plan, controlling costs and reducing administration to support front line policing.”