SO we have another political appointment as Police and Crime Commissioner after the recent by election.

With a turn out of only 15 per cent and a close contest against an independent candidate does not demonstrate enthusiasm for the position or for having a party politician in charge of our police service.

There had been over 2,000 ballot papers that were rejected in the first round of counting; some of which I’m understand had been spoiled by people writing that the election was either a waste of money or that it should not be a political appointment.

Not that we are likely to get to know how much this exercise cost. A 2017 Freedom of Information request to Northumberland County Council about the cost of elections was declined because "it would involve a significant amount of officer time to provide a response in respect of this matter".

I trust that the 21.7 per cent increase in this year’s council tax bill for the Police and Crime Commissioner for Northumbria was not in anticipation of this election.

Our new commissioner has already tried to politicise the impact of government cuts on our police force.

Perhaps I have been naive in believing that the introduction of the Police and Crime Commissioner ‘tax’ on our council bills was the local contribution to front line policing where spending could be made more accountable and not for the £85,000 salary and running a supportive administration.

Over the three-year period since the last election to this post, the PCC contribution in our bills has increased by 39.3 per cent, whereas the council itself was eight per cent.

I’m aware the last commissioner was keen in putting money into victim support but I think I would rather it went into more active crime prevention so there might be less victims to support.

JOHN MARTIN

Fourstones