A PUBLIC online hustings will be held for the Police & Crime Commissioner election.

The free public husting will be at 7pm on Tuesday April 20 giving people the chance to questions the candidates standing in the upcoming PCC election.

Voters from across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight will be heading to the polls, on Thursday May 6, to choose the next Police & Crime Commissioner for the area.

A powerful job that comes with a salary of more than £86,000.

Whoever wins will oversee a budget of more than £300m - but will also face a projected £16.5m deficit by 2023/24. The candidates are:

Tony Bunday, Labour; Steve James-Bailey, Hampshire Independents; Donna Jones, Conservative; Richard Murphy, Liberal Democrats.

The public husting event is being hosted by The Institute of Criminal Justice Research at The University of Southampton and the Hampshire & IOW Neighbourhood Watch organising committee.

Previous voter turnout has been disappointingly low (2016—29%, 2012-15%) and greater voter participation is being widely encouraged to ensure better democratic accountability of the successful candidate. The turnout is likely to be higher in the Winchester area as the PCC poll conicides with the city and county elections.

Questions from the public are encouraged and can be submitted once registration is complete. Full details can be found on the @HANTS.IOW.PCC.2021 Facebook page.

Enquiries can be sent to: act.collectively@gmail.com.