THE election of a new police and crime commissioner for Essex will take place on Thursday, May 5.

Tory Nick Alston, who was elected as the county's first commissioner in 2012, is not seeking re-election, and five candidates are in the running to succeed him.

The role, which includes the power to hire and fire the Chief Constable, is aimed at holding the police force to account.

The new commissioner will have to preside over major cuts to Essex Police's budget, with a series of reductions in officer numbers and stations already announced as part of a bid to slash costs by £63 million by 2019/20.

We asked the five candidates what they would do if elected...

ROGER HIRST

Conservative

Background: Essex county councillor responsible for customer services until he stepped down to focus on his election campaign. He said: "I have held public office as a cabinet member where I led the Essex Safer Communities Strategy. Also I ran our libraries where I can proudly say we cut costs but not our service to the public. And I have 30 years experience as a leading financial analyst working for major banks - I will not waste your money."

Aims and ambitions: "As your police and crime commissioner I will put the needs of local residents first. That is why I promise to crack down on anti-social behaviour, keeping our communities safe across the whole of Essex, reducing the disruption and distress it causes people. I will be tough on domestic violence, helping those who suffer in silence and reducing its impact on children and families, and reverse the trend in serious violent crime, helping the police get a grip, by catching criminals and supporting early intervention to improve public safety. I will tackle gangs and organised crime, making sure that crime doesn't pay, eradicating people-trafficking, and using seized funds to help affected communities. I want to make the police more local, visible, and accessible, ensuring that crime prevention is based in the community, that victims come first, and that you know what is happening in your neighbourhood. I will ensure that there will be no reduction in police officer numbers over my term in office. And I will double the size of the special constabulary so that there is a special constable in every town and village."

BOB SPINK

Ukip

Background: Formerly served in the RAF and first became Tory MP for Castle Point in 1992. Failed to gain re-election in 1997 but became the constituency's MP again in 2001, until 2010. In 2008 he resigned from the Conservatives and became Ukip's first MP. Mr Spink has pointed to his role in helping develop laws on anti-social behaviour and drugs as evidence of his suitability for the commissioner role. He was a parliamentary private secretary in the Home Office during his time as a Tory, and frequently points to audits which showed him to be the country's "hardest working MP" while he was in Parliament.

Aims and ambitions: "We need a heavyweight police commissioner with relevant experience. Another Tory clearly can’t fight his own party’s police cuts. Tories plan a new £40m Chelmsford police HQ while they close our local stations and sack officers. I have different priorities. I’ll use the cash to fund bobbies on the beat and open police stations. The Tory candidate says he is a ‘pro-European Tory’, his words. I disagree with him. I want to leave the EU, take back our democracy, spend the savings on our health, fire and police services, and control immigration. If you agree, please vote for me. It’s a two horse race, me or another Tory councillor, so please use your vote carefully. The other candidates are decent, well-meaning people, but they lack the direct law and police experience that I have. Don’t take my word for it, English Democrats leader, Robin Tilbrook, endorsed me as ‘the most able and experienced candidate’.

KEVIN McNAMARA

Liberal Democrats

Background: Grew up in Ilford, attending Goodmayes Primary School. He went to secondary school in Romford before attending sixth form college in Havering. He has lived in Thurrock since 2007. A philosophy graduate from Kent University, Mr McNamara has also studied justice and policing. He has taken a break from his career in micro-finance to fight the election.

Aims and ambitions: "I would listen by ensuring that I always consulted through a variety of medias, ensuring everybody is heard. I would act by introducing smart technologies and minimising bureaucracy where possible, and turn police time toward overlooked crimes by ensuring the police do not arrest people who are in possession of drugs for personal use, saving thousands of police hours every year. I would work by promoting strong links between police, local councils and the NHS ensuring that no service user goes through the cracks or is left behind. It is truly shocking that every single day Essex Police has around 85 incidents of domestic abuse. Too many victims of crime are going unsupported and yet they are cutting the number of police officers and police stations. For decades local Conservatives have not funded Essex Police properly. This has led to not enough attention to violent crime, domestic abuse, child abuse and cyber crime."

MARTIN TERRY

Zero Tolerance Policing ex Chief

Background: An independent Southend borough councillor for the last 13 years. Mr Terry is currently councillor responsible for public protection, waste and transport. He said: "Having been born, lived and worked most of my life in Essex, I know the whole county well. I understand the make-up of the county in all its individual and unique communities, so I will not have a parochial mind set."

Aims and ambitions: "I have been an independent councillor for 13 years and getting my individual voice heard amidst the weight of traditional party politics has been a particular triumph. I was the first independent candidate elected at Southend in generations and founded the Independent Group that now leads Southend Council. My campaign is fully endorsed by Mick Thwaites, a former divisional commander, head of mobile support, police operations and temporary assistant chief constable for Essex Police, who will provide inside knowledge gained from his 34 years of experience. I also have the support of other former Essex Police officers who are horrified by the erosion of their beloved service, one of whom is acknowledged as a leading authority in regard to anti-social behaviour and was formerly a senior police policy advisor across central government."

CHRIS VINCE

Labour

Background: A secondary school maths teacher in Great Dunmow, aged 32, who lives in Chelmsford. He has previously taught in Rochford and Brentwood. He said: "This has not only given me an insight into how crime can effect young people and local communities but also the importance of preventative policing."

Aims and ambitions: "Since 2010 we’ve seen cuts of over 600 front line police officers and PCSO numbers decimated across Essex. This means that officers and police staff are stretched and in danger of burning themselves out. I want to work with the Police Federation, the staff unions, the Chief Constable and the officers and staff themselves, to ensure they are supported to do their jobs. I’ll do what I can to protect front line policing in our county as well as ensuring we are as efficient and as effective as possible in tackling important issues like domestic violence and knife crime. I also want to focus on crime prevention, working with local school and community groups to prevent crime as well as having police officers working in those local communities. I believe my background in education would make me an ideal candidate not just to talk to police officers and local residents but also to listen as well. I pledge my hard work, my honesty, but above all, I pledge my passion to support our police and to keep our people of Essex safe."