WINDSOR MP Adam Afriyie writes to the Bracknell News.

Last month saw local elections take place across the country, and whilst there were no council election in Bracknell this year, the police and crime commissioner was up for election. I am glad that the Conservative candidate, Mathew Barber, was successful in his campaign to represent the Thames Valley policing region.

Often rural areas such as ours can get overlooked when we look at the national crime picture. However, some of the crime in less populated parts of Bracknell like Binfield, Warfield, and Winkfield still needs to be addressed, such as with anti-social behaviour and the theft of outdoor agricultural equipment.

That is why it is important to have a strong local voice which will ensure that local criminal activity, no matter how big or small, is given the time, attention, and resources it deserves.

Being tough on all forms of crime was a key part of our manifesto commitment during the 2019 election and is now a clear part of conservatism at all levels in the party and country.

It is a feeling that is shared right across the country, that we must be tough on criminals and even tougher on the most violent and dangerous criminals. That is why policing and sentencing reform was at the heart of our Queens Speech last month, as was reaffirming the commitment to get more police officers onto the street.

So whilst there is much that can be done across the Thames Valley and Bracknell, rest assured that with a new Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner, your streets will remain safe, and can only get safer.

Adam Afriyie

Conservative MP for Windsor