Avon and Somerset’s police and crime commissioner has announced she will not be seeking re-election when her term ends later this year.
Sue Mountstevens was elected to become the first ever police and crime commissioner (PCC) for Avon and Somerset in 2012.
The Independent candidate was reelected in 2016 and it was expected that she would stand for a third term later this year.
But Ms Mountstevens has announced this week she will not be seeking reelection in May.
She said she has ‘mixed emotions’ about her decision but that she knows it is the right decision not just for herself, but the police force and the public.
In a statement Ms Mountstevens said: “I feel strongly that the OPCC and all the work we have done over the last eight years with our partners has been a catalyst for enormously positive change.
“When I see how the Constabulary now works with victims through services like Lighthouse and mental health triage, I can see that the voice of victims is now well and truly embedded in our approach to all our work.
The support now provided to women and girls who are survivors of sexual violence, through the investment in Independent Sexual Violence Advisors (ISVAs) who hold the hands of those people through stages of practical, psychological and emotional recovery, is also a staggering achievement. It is testament to the shift in culture that has put victims at the heart of everything we do.”
She also looked to the future and said there were two big areas of work to focus on moving forward - the role of violence reduction units and reducing reoffending in the South West.
Ms Mountstevens also spoke about the challenges she faced coming into office just after austerity “took hold” and warned of the upcoming challenges as central government “turn on the financial taps once again”.
Ms Mountstevens thanked the staff in the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPPC) for all their hard work and support over the last eight years and promised residents she would not be taking her foot off the pedal between now and May.
The Police and Crime Commissioner elections will take place on Thursday, May 7. So far no candidates have been announced.
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