Prime Minister David Cameron yesterday visited Leicestershire to support his party's candidate in the forthcoming police and crime commissioner election.
Mr Cameron joined former Air Chief Marshall Sir Clive Loader on the campaign trail in Loughborough and urged people to "do their civic duty" and use their votes on Thursday, November 15.
The police commissioner – who will earn about £70,000 a year – will replace the police authority, which currently sets police budgets, appoints senior officers and scrutinises the force's performance.
The Electoral Reform Society has predicted just 18.5 per cent of people would vote. Those findings were mirrored in a poll by the Leicester Mercury.
Speaking at the Twenty Twenty young people's centre, Mr Cameron said he did not want to put a figure to what would be an "acceptable" turnout.
"There is no point speculating about something we don't know the answer to yet," he said.
"We must encourage people to do their civic duty and get out and vote.
"If we asked people on the streets of Loughborough 'who is on your police authority?' I would have a small bet they would not know the answer.
"Everyone in Leicestershire will know there is a go-to person if they are not happy with policing.
"It's not about telling the police what to do. We are guaranteeing through the law the independence of chief constables – they are the professionals.
"The British policing model is good. We are seeing crime fall across the country and here in Leicestershire and we are getting more police officers out on the streets. The missing link has been accountability."
Sir Clive said: "I'm delighted the Prime Minister came to support my campaign. It showed the Government's commitment to this important initiative.
"It was a month or so ago that the Electoral Commission predicted an 18.5 per cent turnout.
"A couple of months ago I would say two or three out of 10 people I spoke to knew about the election, now I would say it's two or three who do not know it is happening.
"So, things have improved, but the question remains whether people will use their votes.
"It is down to us as candidates to enthuse the public and my feeling is that is beginning to happen."
The Labour Party has selected Leicester's assistant mayor Sarah Russell.
Leicester community worker and businessman Suleman Nagdi is standing as an independent.
The Mercury is inviting readers to send us the questions they would like the three candidates to answer. We will print the responses next week.
Send your questions to: Ciaran Fagan, Crime Correspondent, Leicester Mercury, St George Street, Leicester, LE1 9FQ. Alternatively, e-mail:
ciaranfagan@ leicestermercury. co.uk
