Lytham St Annes Express: Minister in town to back mission
ublished in the Lytham St Annes Express on Wednesday 15 August 2012 by Gareth Vickers
Conservative Party co-chairman and Minister of State, Baroness Sayeeda Warsi, visited the county to launch a ‘No Cold Calling’ campaign with County Coun Tim Ashton, the PCC candidate, as well as support his bid ahead of November’s elections.
The pair, alongside Fylde MP Mark Menzies, met residents and outlined their plans for both campaigns.
The Police and Crime Commissioner role allows an elected individual to be accountable for how crime is tackled in their area, with voting taking place on November 15.
Ms Warsi said: “We are here for two reasons, one to launch our ‘No Cold Calling’ campaign and secondly to support Tim’s candidancy ahead of the upcoming elections.
“Tim is a great candidate who we feel will do very well in the area. These positions are the first of their kind, and Tim, who has a strong business background, will be an excellent commissioner if he succeeds in working alongside the heads of Lancashire police.”
Mr Ashton added: “I won’t be in charge of police in the county, but my job is to work alongside them and assist them to do their jobs the best they can.
“The county’s police are some of the best-performing in the country and I want to continue this.”
Coun Ashton’s priorities include crime, supporting officers and protecting frontline policing.
He added: “My role is to hold to account the top people in the force and ensure we remain as one of the best and most respected forces in the country.”
Earlier, the pair met elderly and vulnerable residents in Earby, Pendle, to discuss dealing with cold callers, before travelling to the Fylde coast.
Key tips the trio mentioned included always checking the identity of callers to your home, not keeping cash at home and not agreeing to work as a result of a cold-caller.
Ms Warsi added: “We are taking this very seriously. Cold callers are a big issue, especially in quiet, residential areas like Lytham and Tim and Mark will be working hard to assist residents with such selling tactics.”