We ask Kate Chinn, Surrey Labour’s candidate for Police and Crime Commissioner about her beliefs and approach to policing.

Kate, do you think people are born bad or is crime just down to social pressure?

I do not believe people are born bad but that there are many reasons why they turn to crime.   For example, some people shoplift because they unable to afford the necessities, and unwary  young people who have been groomed  by drug dealers are tempted into risky crimes for ‘easy’ money.  Many crimes are driven by addiction, so the root cause of their desperate acts go back to an earlier period of getting hooked. But there are certainly criminals with no regard for other people’s belongings or the impact on their victims. I personally think it is very important that parents lay down clear boundaries and ethics from the start.

Why do you think crime is rising in leafy Surrey?

More and more people are experiencing hardship and cynicism after a long period of austerity. The economy is bearing down even on the middle classes. The police are spread thinly so many ‘minor’ crimes are not properly investigated and even when they are, the Criminal Justice System is hardly functioning. Surrey doesn’t have enough police on the streets who know their local communities and can work proactively to prevent crimes in the known hot spot areas, Labour will fix this by refocusing on neighbourhood-based policing.

Historically, Labour has struggled to be seen as the party of law and order. Why should people look at it differently now?

The Labour Party has changed and is ready for government.   Labour’s home office shadow team led by Yvette Cooper has an impressive grip on their brief. They are prepared to tackle crime and criminals holistically.  This means resourcing Surrey police to enable proactive and effective policing in both town and country settings, operating much closer to the ground. We will also do more to prevent crime in the first place by providing support services for young people before they slip into crime, and support for struggling families.

What would you say in your first speech to police officers after the election?

That’s a difficult question because I am keen to build trust with the officers and reassure the staff that I will support them in the difficult tasks they perform on our behalf. But I will not flinch from some plain messages about police ethics and behaviour. Recent stories about inappropriate and offensive behaviour among police officers have compromised them in the eyes of the public. I will expect a high standard of behaviour and that will be part of my message.

What will you address most urgently in your first 100 days in office if elected?

I will address Surrey’s most commonly-reported crime: violence against women and girls, and this will include a review of current training to ensure all the police have a good understanding of domestic violence, misogyny and sexual assault, including controlling and coercive behaviour. This will mean a rethink about how police engage with survivors of such offences. I aim to work with the chief constable to make sure more investigations lead to convictions.

The election for Surrey Police and Crime commissioner takes place on Thursday 2 May.