A MOTHER-OF-TWO, a former Navy seaman and a retired magistrate are all standing against the current Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) to take on the role for the next four years in Thursday's election.

For the second ever time, voters in Oxfordshire will go to the polls to vote for who they want to oversee policing in the county.

The role of PCCs, created in 2012, is to cut crime and help deliver "an effective and efficient police service" by holding chief constables to account on behalf of local people.

Current PCC Anthony Stansfeld, who was the first Thames Valley PCC to be elected in 2012, said if re-elected he wants to tackle cyber crime and fraud.

The Conservative party candidate who lives in Kintbury, West Berkshire, said combating the threat of terrorism was also on his pledge list.

But the 70-year-old said he could not afford to "let up" on his three previous priorities of protecting vulnerable people, reducing domestic burglary and tackling rural crime.

Mr Stansfeld said reducing household burglaries was one of his greatest achievements during his term of office, along with setting up a multi-agency safeguarding hub with Oxfordshire County Council which seeks to share information so risks to children can be identified at an early stage.

Liberal Democrat candidate John Howson has pledged to "protect front line police", improve the number of crimes solved and reduce "fear of crime".

The former Oxfordshire magistrate, who previously stood in the first PCC elections, also vowed to communicate better with community groups through regular meetings.

He said he would improve technology use in the force.

Mr Howson, who lives in Rewley Road, Oxford, added: "This is a strategic post and may become more important if the Government changes it to cover all three blue light services, which is probably a good way to go."

Mother-of-two Laetisia Carter, standing for the Labour party, vowed to tackle domestic abuse and child sexual exploitation

Mrs Carter, who lives in Chipping Norton, said tackling serious crimes on the rise would be her main priority.

The 34-year-old also pledged to crack down on cybercrime – which she said often went "unreported" – and develop a digital way of reporting crimes.

Mrs Carter said she felt having a PCC from an opposition party would create a "stronger voice for change".

Former Royal Navy leading seaman and UKIP candidate Lea Trainer said bringing back the "bobby on the beat" and rebuilding trust between communities and officers were among his key priorities.

The father-of-three from Slough, Berkshire, pledged to be the "straight-talking voice of the people in Thames Valley".

Mr Trainer said from speaking to the public he had found it "clear" that communities have a "lack of trust" in the police force, and said: "I will make sure we reduce the fear of crime by bringing back the old bobby on the beat to ensure continuity, increased visibility and faith in the police force."

Polling stations will be open tomorrow from 7am to 10pm and polling cards should have been delivered to every house in the region.

To find your nearest polling station go to whitehorsedc.gov.uk or southoxon.gov.uk