Avon and Somerset Police and Crime Commissioner Election: Meet the candidates

We've spoken to the seven candidates after your vote in the Gloucestershire Police and Crime Commissioner Election on May 5. Credit: ITV West Country

They are the candidates to be commissioner.

One woman and six men campaigning to be head of one of the largest police forces in England and Wales.

In charge of annual budget of some £250 million serving a population of more than one and half million people.

Whoever gets the vote, they'll inherit a force under tight financial constraints with distinct urban and rural demands.

It's already had to make £60 million worth of cuts over the last four years due to reductions in Government funding.

That's contributed to a reduction of some 600 officers in the last five years, bringing the total number down to just over 2,700.

And despite Chancellor George Osborne's promise in his latest budget to protect policing further savings of some £20 million over the next four years must be made.

Sue Mounstevens became Avon and Somerset's first PCC in 2012 with the largest mandate in the country, albeit a fraction over 10 per cent.

She brought widespread attention to the role - but perhaps not the sort she'd have wanted - when she told then Chief Constable Nick Gargan to resign or retire after accusing him of abusing his authority.

Working with his successor is her priority now.

Conservative candidate Mark Weston shares Sue Mounstevens view, paid for by merging back office duties. He says he wants to see a return to more neighbourhood policing.

Independent candidate and former police officer Kevin Phillips quit his role as the force's Police Federation chief to join the contest.

One cost-cutting measure is police station closures, in Bath services are shared with the council, Paul Crossley, the Lib Dem leader, says he'd halt the shutdowns to review the move.

At 27, dairy farmer Aaron Foot is thought to be the country's youngest PCC candidate. Standing for UKIP he wants greater help for those with mental health issues.

Labour's Kerry Barker is a criminal barrister who advocates more officers, better technology for them, including body cameras, and greater specialist teams.

Green candidate Chris Briton raised the £5,000 he needed to stand through public donations. 25 years experience working in the probation service has convinced him a debate is needed on the legalisation of drugs

It's a crowded field today but after May 5, seven will become one, filling the biggest job in Avon and Somerset police.