Lara Pringle - Liberal Democrat Candidate for Hertfordshire's Police and Crime Commissioner

Hertfordshire Liberal Democrats announce Lara Pringle as their Police and Crime Commissioner candidate.

Lara is an experienced criminal barrister and a Liberal Democrat Councillor in Dacorum. She has built up a reputation as a formidable campaigner and a champion of social justice.

As a criminal barrister with over two decades of experience prosecuting, Lara understands what drives crime. She recognises the huge challenges faced in the criminal justice system and knows that strategic investment and a change of focus is required.

Lara says, "I know that decisions on strategic direction and resourcing are critical to what happens on the ground. I am determined to ensure that Hertfordshire Police officers are properly resourced so that we can tackle local priorities. We desperately need to ensure that we have enough funding and that it is directed to where it is really needed".

Lara has worked professionally with every police force in the country. She is particularly concerned that here in Hertfordshire, not enough is being done to tackle hidden crimes, especially domestic abuse.

Lara says:

'We need to take a tough line on bringing more perpetrators to justice, particularly in cases of Domestic Abuse. Recent figures show that victims in Hertfordshire are being let down. Reports of Domestic Abuse have skyrocketed under the current Police and Crime Commissioner. Yet the number of suspects being charged has fallen. If we are to stop the cycle of crime, we need new leadership with the professional knowhow to implement strategies that will bring violent abusers to justice'

The only way to stop crime is to do what works. That means adopting an evidence based innovative approach. As your Police and Crime Commissioner, I will bring my professional experience to the role. I will increase focus on crime prevention and community policing. I will make sure Hertfordshire Police works hand in hand with education, health and other local services, so that we can help people to build lives free from crime.

Hertfordshire Police force must work for local people. It must be open and transparent with adequate funding to tackle key local priorities. We must do more to reverse the underinvestment in policing and other criminal justice agencies that has led to increased violence both behind closed doors and on our streets".