Mary Robinson is standing as an Independent candidate for Cumbria Police and Crime Commissioner. If you are intending to stand to be Police and Crime Commissioner where you live, you can submit your own Candidate Statement, so get in touch at Editor@TopOfTheCops.com. Others are on the way, and we are looking for 400 words, and a photo of you to which you have rights.

Cumbria has one of the lowest levels of crime in England and I aim to keep it that way. I believe Policing in our county is far too important to be politicised but I am not naive and recognise that politics are part of daily life but feel strongly that they should not be involved in Policing.

I am dedicated to making a difference to the lives of residents of my home County of Cumbria and have worked with young people and within my community for over 40 years. To do this more effectively I stood for election to the District Council in 2003.

I have many years of experience running a business and work at a strategic level in my current employment, as a Chair of Governors at a Primary School and as Deputy Leader of Eden District Council. I have a Masters Degree in Business Administration and have the knowledge, skills, commitment and life experience to take on the role of Police Commissioner.

I am currently serving my second term as Chairman of the Carlisle and Eden Community Safety Partnership and have the experience and understanding of community safety through working closely with the Police and other community safety partnership members including the County wide Community Safety Partnership. I can make common sense decisions on what is likely to be the best outcomes for the different communities in Cumbria but one size doesn’t fit all in a county the size of Cumbria, there has to be local solutions for local problems.

I recognise there will be huge financial constraints but I intend to fight for fairer funding for Cumbria due to its sparse nature and the increased costs which result. I know there will be conflicting priorities and conflicting opinions but that does not mean better ways of doing things can’t be found through clear communication and honest negotiation.

I hear lots about restorative justice and how it can be used to best effect and I am sure it can work in some instances however my personal experience has been that if the person who has committed the crime doesn’t wish to take part or it is not in their interests to do so then it doesn’t happen. How can that ever be fair to the victims of crime?

I believe

• There should be a zero tolerance of crime and antisocial behaviour.

• The excellent work already happening around domestic violence and all the damage it does to families and to children’s futures needs to be supported.

• Policing for both rural and urban crime must be fairly delivered

• Through better communication and by working more closely with our communities they become the important partner they should be to reduce crime.

If I am elected Police Commissioner I would fight tooth and nail to make sure residents concerns are recognised and addressed.

Having worked with the Police in the community safety partnerships I truly respect the hard work and dedication of our Police Officers and would value being able to work with them to make a better Cumbria.

I stand for an independent common sense approach to Policing Cumbria with the residents interests at heart of an agreed Policing Plan.