Martin Kenneth Albert Schmierer

I have lived in Norfolk since 1994. For the last six years I have served as a city councillor in Norwich and from 2018-19 was Lord Mayor of the city.

As a councillor, I have considerable experience working with the police and the local authority to try to tackle criminal and anti-social behaviour – everything from flytipping and graffiti to drug dealing.

In that time, I have spoken to thousands of residents and feel I have built a deep understanding of what the priorities of the Police and Crime Commissioner should be. These include:

• Tackling the bureaucratisation and politicisation of the police force and will instead look to improve the links between communities and the constabulary;
• Making more money available for small grants to community projects which improve safety in their local area;
• Protecting rural policing and ensuring that resources are not solely focused on Norfolk’s towns and cities;
• Ensuring that more is done to tackle hidden crime, e.g. domestic violence, which is often under- or- unreported;
• Addressing violence against women and hate crimes against minorities;
• Undertaking a fundamental rethink of our drug policy. Having spoken to police officers, judges and health professionals, it is clear the current approach isn’t working and we cannot simply arrest our way out of the problem. We must look at drug addiction as a health issue, rather than simply a criminal matter.

Most importantly though, I would like to hear from more residents in Norfolk to ensure that everyone’s voice is heard. We know Norfolk is a wonderful place to live and bring up a family, but it is only through working together that we can make this county safer for us all and for future generations.

Prepared by Ash Haynes on behalf of Martin Schmierer (all c/o 213 College Road, Norwich, NR2 3JD)

Contact details

Martin Schmierer, 8 Damocles Court, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1HN

martinschmierer.co.uk

martinschmierer@yahoo.co.uk

Twitter: @martinschmierer

Facebook: martinschmierer1/