The Lib Dems across Berks, Bucks & Oxon have selected a leading crime fighter and magistrate as their Thames Valley candidate in the Police & Crime Commissioner election on 15 November – Professor John Howson.
John Howson knows a thing or two about crime. Businessman, Academic, Licensing Justice, and victim of crime, as well as a former government adviser.
As a long standing Justice of the Peace, John has served as a magistrate for 22 years, now sitting on the Oxfordshire Bench from which he has taken leave of absence to fight this election. His role as a Crime Fighter was recognized when he became a Vice President of the Magistrates’ Association.
Commenting on his selection, Professor John Howson said: “As a businessman and former university head of department, I am used to the scrutiny of budgets, and have written about concepts such as activity based costing.
“Policing in England is a matter of consent. Currently, too much crime is linked to addiction, whether drug or alcohol related. Helping to stop re-offending is the best way to keep down police spending in the future.
“As a victim of a classroom stabbing when a teacher, having experienced four burglaries in my adult life, and been involved in two road traffic accidents, I know the effects crimes can have not only on the direct victim, but also on others in the wider community.”
A resident of the Thames Valley for more than 30 years, he also knows the diversity of the Thames Valley police area having been involved with training teachers across the three counties for more than ten years.
Lib Dem Regional Chair and West Oxfordshire councillor, Liz Leffman, said: “We are delighted to have such an experienced campaigner, with an excellent knowledge of policing and crime, as our candidate for Thames Valley .”