It is now less than one month until people in Hertfordshire will be able to vote in the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) election.

We have spoken to all candidates, and below is an interview with the UKIP candidate Mark Hughes.

For a guide on everything you need to know about the upcoming elections, and for interviews with the other candidates, click here. 

Name: Mark Hughes

Age: 54

Address: Royston

Occupation: Director of a regulated financial advisor

What qualifies you for the role?

I have been an independent member of the Herts Police joint audit committee for the last three years, this has given me a useful insight to policing in the county.

I have many years political experience as a councillor, including a time as chairman of North Herts District Council. 

I have lived in Hertfordshire all my life and over the last 20 years have built a business in the county that has grown to manage more than £100m of assets.

What do you see as the policing priorities in Watford and south west Hertfordshire?

Anti-social behaviour in our town centres, increase in burglaries and fraud.

How will you combat this?

Improving police response times and a stronger presence of police in the community i.e. ‘bobbies on the beat’

Would you pledge to keep Watford police station open?

Yes, since the current commissioner took office the number of operational police stations in the county has fallen from 15 to just four, would not close any Police stations and would look to restore some of those that we have lost.

Do you think enough is being done to combat child exploitation?

We must remain vigilant whenever vulnerable sections of our community are at risk.

How would you ensure there are enough police officers on the streets?

I would recruit more officers; I would encourage a career path for CSO’s who wish to become officers and I would look to have a recruitment drive of special constables.

How would you pay for this?

Further collaboration but within county across other organisations rather than just with neighbouring police forces.

I would also look to reduce unnecessary expense, such as the office of the PCC which I would reduce by at least by 25 per cent.

Do you think the role is relevant given the turnout at the last election?

This year the turnout will be higher as it is on the same day as the local elections. If the public wish to express an opinion on how we are policed then they should vote.

Have you ever done anything illegal?

I am pleased to say that I currently have a clean driving licence, however, that has not always been the case.