No “laissez-faire” attitude to drug issues says Welsh Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner candidate

The Welsh Conservatives have selected the chair of North Wales Police and Crime Panel as their candidate in the upcoming Police and Crime Commissioner elections.

Patricia Astbury, who was born and raised in North Wales, is also the panel member champion for Modern Day Slavery and Child Exploitation.

Speaking afterwards, Pat said she was delighted to have been chosen and would use her wealth of local knowledge to good effect.

She said: “I have a first-hand understanding of the diverse areas and needs that are prevalent across the region – from the industrial areas of North East Wales to rural Gwynedd. If elected, I would make sure the public has the chance to raise their concerns through well publicised meetings and surgeries. I will listen to what people have to say and take action.”

Rural crime, county lines drug gangs, modern slavery and child sexual exploitation are areas of real concern for Pat, who is a Welsh speaker.

She said: “County lines is a particular problem along the A55 – with huge implications for education (excluded pupils), social services, health, the police – not to mention damage to families and the community.”

She stressed: ‘There would be no laissez-faire attitude to issues such as drugs.’

Although there has been an increase in numbers deployed to the rural crime team in North Wales, Pat believes it is important that PCSOs are regularly seen in these areas.

She said: “I would continue to press for more visible policing whilst fully understanding the need for the less visible – for example, there is a need for an increase in staff who can combat fraud and other online criminality.

“Nothing gives more reassurance than the sight of a uniformed member of the police.”

Pat, who is a former Ruthin town councillor and  Mayor, has a background in education. She is a school governor of a primary and a secondary school.

In her spare time, Pat enjoys reading, gardening and travel. She has arranged many primary school mock trials on issues such as hate crimes, traffic offences and shoplifting. Pat has also arranged  a conference on modern day slavery which was  held in Ruthin.

Labour has picked Connah’s Quay Councillor and Flintshire Armed Forces Champion to be Police Crime Commissioner candidate, more here: https://www.deeside.com/labour-pick-connahs-quay-councillor-and-flintshire-armed-forces-champion-to-be-police-crime-commissioner-candidate/

Former Deputy PCC Ann Griffith confirmed as the Plaid Cymru candidate for North Wales Police and Crime Commissioner. more here: https://www.deeside.com/former-deputy-pcc-ann-griffith-confirmed-as-the-plaid-cymru-candidate-for-north-wales-police-and-crime-commissioner/