CROSBY councillor Les Byrom is vying to become Merseyside’s first Police and Crime Commissioner. The Victoria Ward representative is seeking to apply for the Labour nomination in the up-coming Commissioner selection process. If elected, Cllr Byrom has vowed to “hold officers to account” and “take back the streets”. The father-of-two said: “I have been involved with running and managing blue light services for over 15 years, both here in Merseyside and at the national level. “I feel I have something to bring to the role. I would give strong challenging leadership based on actual experience of running large complex emergency services, holding officers to account and working with councillors, MPs and community groups to find out what people really want from the police in their areas. “If elected, my priorities would include establishing a ‘take back the streets’ campaign, as no one should fear walking to the shops or to be shut in behind locks and bolts at home, and setting up a crime action consortium to drive public involvement in setting priorities and getting results.” Cllr Byrom served as a Conservative councillor for Dukes Ward, in Southport, from 1985 until his controversial defection to the Labour Party in 2008. After leading Sefton Conservatives for 14 years until 2005, he became the Labour councillor for Victoria Ward, in Crosby. The Ainsdale resident was national chairman of the Fire Service, and was appointed Commander for Merseyside St John Ambulance in December. He was awarded a CBE in 2007. Cllr Byrom added: “The new Commissioner post is an opportunity to break from the old committee-based system and to have strong expert leadership in crime reduction within the police and all its partners. It leaves the police to do the job they are qualified to do.” The introduction of Police and Crime Commissioners is aimed at providing stronger and more transparent accountability of the police. The public will have the opportunity to elect a Commissioner in November. | 
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