Ludgvan man stands as Police and Crime Commissioner
11:31am Tuesday 11th September 2012 in News
THE latest candidate for the new position of Devon and Cornwall Police and Crime Commissioner is William Morris from Ludgvan, near Penzance.
Mr Morris, who will stand as an independent candidate, is calling for action to tackle social deprivation as a method of reducing crime in the south west, as well as cutting back on under-age drinking.
He says his interest in crime prevention developed during the ten years he lived and worked in South Wales, at which time he volunteered as a prison visitor at Swansea jail, visiting the young offenders unit as well as the adult wing.
He has revealed a seven point action plan he will implement if elected: 1. Less police bureaucracy, more arrests (at present the UK police forces are quite grossly overburdened with paper work) 2. Insisting on more rehab and detox centres to deal with drug abuse in Devon and Cornwall 3. Speaking out about the causes of crime, particular poor social conditions and under investment in the region 4. Greater police presence in town centres on Friday and Saturday nights 5. Targeting premises that sell alcohol to under age children 6. A crackdown on disorderly behaviour 7. Bringing influence to bear on better prisoner rehabilitation Mr Morris said his position as an independent candidate would be an advantage in the role.
He said: “I believe that it is best if the Police Commissioner is independent of any political party because policing is too important an issue to be consumed by party politics. It is imperative that the actions of the police do not become politicised.”
Mr Morris, who used to be a farmer, has also worked in the mining industry, and currently he heads up a charity called The Next Century Foundation which works at conflict resolution in the Middle East. His role involves handling second track negotiations on peace process issues. He also chairs the International Council for Press and Broadcasting which hosts the annual International Media Awards in London. A Cornishman, William also has strong links to Devon through his wife who lived and worked there as a teacher prior to their marriage. William has also served on a Public Protection Committee as a County Councilor.
Formerly he chaired the West Cornwall Marine Forum and has always taken a personal interest in marine and fisheries issues.
William and his wife Veronica have three children, Joseph, Loveday and Samuel, and one grandchild, Florence.
