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Labour members in Devon and Cornwall have selected Gareth Derrick as their candidate for May’s election for the Police and Crime Commissioner. Mr Derrick, who served for over three decades in the Royal Navy is currently a Councillor on Plymouth City Council and stood as Parliamentary candidate for South East Cornwall in 2017 and 2019. He narrowly lost to incumbent Police Commissioner Alison Hernandez in 2016.

Speaking about his selection, Gareth Derrick said:

“I’m delighted to have been selected again by Labour members in Devon and Cornwall to be the candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner.

“As a member of Devon and Cornwall’s Police and Crime Panel, I have been able to see exactly what the current Tory Commissioner is doing, and in that time what have we seen? Violent crime doubled, prosecution rates at historic lows and community policing decimated – all as a result of Conservative policies.

“I’m standing because I want to restore integrity to the strategic leadership of policing and to make the force more effective in preventing crime. Without that the public will continue to lose confidence in this vital public service. Having served in the Royal Navy for over 30 years I am passionate about keeping our country and our communities safe.

“I’m looking forward to outlining my vision for policing in Devon in Cornwall over the coming weeks and months, setting out how I’ll restore trust and confidence in the role of Police and Crime Commissioner.”

As part of his energetic campaign Gareth will be meeting voters and community leaders in a series of “Meet and Greet” sessions on Thursday 5th March, at Pebbles Café in Seaton (3:15 pm), The George Hotel in Axminster (5:00 pm) and The Beehive bar in Honiton (6:30 pm).

 Further details and campaign news updates can be found at the website www.garethderrick.org