Craig Mackinlay is Conservative Candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner in Kent

Craig Mackinlay background

Craig is 46, married, born in Chatham, educated locally and then at the University of Birmingham. Following University, he returned to Kent and has been resident ever since. He is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser and a partner in a Kent professional practice. He is additionally a magistrate on the North Kent Bench and was, up until close of nominations for this election, a member of Kent Police Authority. He is additionally ward councillor for River ward on Medway Unitary authority.

Priorities

I want to bring crime down and make people feel safer. We have got to be tougher on criminals and put the victims of crime first. I am on the side of those who live by the rules, respect others and pay their share.

I shall hold Kent police to account and ensure the views of residents are reflected in Kent’s policing priorities. At the same time, I want to release police from the stifling bureaucracy that keeps them away from the job that they signed up to do. I have a unique plan to address rural crime and to increase police visibility through a doubling of the number of Specials.

My key priority will be zero tolerance to crime, particularly drugs and anti-social behaviour. As a long-serving magistrate on the North Kent bench, I have first-hand experience of how the justice system works, and how it can be improved.

We must also, in austere times, look for efficiency and value for money. As a Chartered Accountant I am best placed to identify those savings, and with real action on cutting out bureaucracy, am convinced that I can deliver better policing even under a tough budget. More of the same is not an option, new thinking and reform is required.

The ….and Crime part of the role creates opportunities to break down the barriers between the myriad of agencies working across Kent, and also the charitable and voluntary sectors. The PCC mandate will be a strong one to make these partners finally work together and to judge success on outcomes as the main priority.

www.craigmackinlay.com