Victory for Willy Bach and his team.
Four years ago this week I was enjoying the best week of my life. No question.
At the beginning of the week, the Foxes (Leicester City FC) finished the season as Champions of the Premier League. As a supporter for over 40 years I was jubilant and happy to be part of that huge crowd waiting to congratulate them.
Then, just four days later, I was successful in my quest to be elected as the Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland.
I would be the first to admit that at the start of both campaigns I was not hugely optimistic – sometimes surprising things happen!
But yes, four years ago this week I was signing a piece of paper declaring that I was indeed the newly elected PCC for our area.
Yesterday, before the pandemic that has changed the way we live our lives, we would have been going to the polls to elect my successor. I had been preparing to celebrate all that has been achieved during my term in Office. Now, as the elections have been postponed, I have the privilege of continuing for another year.
I will be in post to see the successful recruitment of the additional officers that I promised to deliver, the funding for which I have lobbied since day one. When I came into post, according to the Office of National statistics, there were 1859 officers. Last Thursday, they confirmed we had 2041. We are still recruiting and by next March, there will be more.
As we come out of #Lockdown, I know that we will see new, existing and evolving challenges. There are plans to deal with this. And there are more officers on your streets and in our communities to help.
Today, we are celebrating the 75th Anniversary of VE Day. A day when Europe overcame a bitter battle that will never be forgotten. My father served in that war. Today means a lot to me. The planned events have been lost in this latest war – against Coronavirus. But we have not forgotten VE Day and yes, I will celebrate, but at home, with my family.
The world looks very different now to 1945. But it is good to see that same community spirit still exists. Together we will overcome this present crisis and we will once again learn the lesson that we are at our best when we are most together.
Willy Bach
8 May 2020
Posted on Friday 8th May 2020