Key debate for top police job

The six candidates hoping to become Kent’s first police commissioner will go head to head at a hustings event next week, chaired by Meridian's Political Correspondent Phil Hornby.

He'll be talking to Ann Barnes (Independent), Dai Liyanage (Independent), Craig Mackinlay (Conservative), Steve Uncles (English Democrats), Piers Wauchope (UK Independence Party) and Harriet Yeo (Labour) about how best to tackle crime in the area.

The University of Kent's Crime and Justice Centre and Kent Debating society is hosting the event in conjunction with the Medway African Caribbean Association.

The hustings start at the Medway campus on Tuesday 6 November and are open to the public.

Phil Hornby says, "The elections are important and represent an important feature of Conservative policy. The authorities admit that the turnout does not look very promising at the moment but they're hoping more campaigns, publicity and hustings like ours will make people aware."

The elected candiate will be able to hire and fire the chief constable and set the force's budget. Voters go to the polls on 15 November. Follow the debate on: @meridiantonight #myPCC #PCCs