Next week is an important election in Staffordshire - but not one that always gets the coverage it needs. Karen is backing Matthew Elllis's campaign to be re-elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner on 5th May. She said:
"Matthew has been an extremely effective PCC. He has led the way in improving how our excellent police service in Staffordshire work. His work on better evidence gathering and working with other agencies to reduce crime and approaches to modern slavery, domestic abuse have made a real, positive difference.
"In fact a lot of the work he has done for us has been followed by other forces round the country. For example, he identified that in Staffordshire, nearly 20% of police time was being spent dealing with people having mental health crises. It cannot be right that someone who is ill and who has committed no crime, finds themselves locked in a police cell. Matthew's analysis has led to government action to reduce the number of people who find themselves in a police cell when in reality they should be getting healthcare. That’s good for the police and for the people who are ill.
"We need him to continue doing such good work in the Moorlands, so vote for Matthew on 5th May, send back your postal vote or don't forget to go the polling station next Thursday - the right person looking after our police is so important."